HHS Turns Pink for Breast Cancer Fundraiser

Both varsity and junior varsity Harrison basketball teams fell to Byram Hills Monday night, but even in defeat the Harrison community won, holding a successful fundraiser for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Terri Pipitone, the mother of Harrison varsity point guard Nick Pipitone, as well as HHS alums Vince and Matt Pipitone, organized the event.

“We are going to walk for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and we are going to be walking in Washington this year. We have to raise $1,800 per person,” said Terri Pipitone. “Next year we hope to do even more, but this was the first year so we got all of the bumps out of the road and we’ll do better next time.”

The Avon Walk in Washington, DC, will be held on the weekend of April 30. Participants will walk more than 39 miles through the capitol to raise money for breast cancer screenings and to support research for a cure. 

During Monday's game everyone involved with Husky basketball wore pink. Players wore pink socks, sweatbands or shoe laces, while coaches wore pink shirts under their trademark vests. Pink ribbons and balloons were tied to the sides of the bleachers and volunteers sold pink cupcakes and doughnuts in the high school hallway. Prizes were also raffled off and all proceeds will go toward the Avon Walk.

Harrison’s fifth and sixth grade girl’s tri-county team scrimmaged during halftime to the delight of the near capacity crowd. The high school’s dance team also performed before the game and at halftime. Dancers wore pink shirts, sticking with the theme of the evening.

 “It’s great that we are throwing this event in the first place, the fact that we get to participate in it makes it that much more special,” said Jamie Pitigger, a senior on the school’s dance team. “Kids in high school deserve to be aware about breast cancer and I think having all of these teenagers involved raises awareness.”

The game and fundraiser were originally scheduled for Jan. 7, but the event was pushed to Monday because of snow. Attendance was good, but the overall goal is to get more people to attend every year.

“It was great, it is the first year we are doing this. Next year it will be even better, we didn’t have school so that may have cut down on some of the kids coming,” said Harrison Basketball Coach Gary Chiarella. “It was a good event, I’m glad we could raise some money for a good cause.”

For more information on how you can donate to the Avon Walk please visit their website. To help the Harrison group, make a contribution to Team New York.