Lakeland High, Shrub Oak Athletic Club Raise More than $14,000 in Annual 'Tackles for a Cure'

From the Lakeland school district

The 4th Annual “Tackles for a Cure” football game at Lakeland High School was an overwhelming success as more than $14,000 was raised to support breast cancer research bringing the total to $31,000 raised in four years.

What began as a small effort among the cheerleaders and football players has now blossomed into a combined effort by Lakeland High School and Shrub Oak Athletic Club. Aimed at promoting awareness and research for breast cancer, the football team wore pink jerseys donated by local businesses.

The stands were filled with students, staff and community members wearing some of the 1,600 black and pink t-shirts sold to raise the main source of funds. Various local businesses and families of the Lakeland community sponsored the shirts this year. There were items donated by the NY Giants and NY Jets. LHS Cheer sold baked goods at the game. LHS Football sold rally towels along with a fundraiser at A&S, Jefferson Valley. Members of the SOAC football program were introduced at halftime while the Lakeland and SOAC cheer squads performed together as well. There were also many donations by community members.

“Every penny we make is donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation,” explained Beth O’Neill, one of the event’s organizers.. The foundation, a top breast cancer charity, was chosen for the excellent work they do in research.

“Tackles for a Cure was an idea I had after I recovered from my breast cancer surgery and treatment,” explained O’Neill. “My son, Connor, was playing on varsity football so I contacted Rob Cappelli to see if we could start a game and he is now one of our biggest supporters,” she said.

The first year began with O’Neill and her best friend, Lisa Souza, selling t-shirts to just LHS Football and Cheer. “We made $2,000.00 and had requests for more shirts. The second year SOAC Cheer and Football joined us and it became a combined Lakeland/SOAC Football and Cheer effort we see this year,” added O’Neill. Others who have been integral to the success of the program include LHS Principal Lorrie Yurish and her staff, Courtney Jennings (LHS Cheer), Mike Sancimino (SOAC Football), and Marlene Maccarrone (SOAC Cheer), she continued

“I started this game because I didn’t want to see any women from our community to go through what I went through,” said O’Neill. “Lisa and I want to pay it forward. We believe that school is not just about academics. It should also be about making the kids better people and learning to help others,” she continued. “We are thrilled that so many people in our community are so generous. One out of every eight women will contract the disease. It’s our hope that, in some small way, we help end that, said O’Neill.