When the Herricks High School football team heard of a fellow student suffering from leukemia last year they joined together with the school and community to raise money.
This year they decided to do it again.
In October, students sold bracelets, T-shirts and baked goods during the Herricks football game against Long Beach on Oct. 2 as part of Herricks Tackles Leukemia.
“It went very well,” football captain Mark Marciano said. “Everyone was really excited to be a part of this.”
The event raised $2,400 in donations that went to Memorial Sloan Kettering Pediatric Division in honor of the Herricks student, who wishes to remain anonymous, to help treat and research cancer, Herricks football coach Mike Yoo said.
“Everyone was touched, they felt the significance of it, the staff, the school community, I’m proud of it,” Yoo said.
The players, cheerleaders and students wore orange shirts with the word “believe” printed on them, the football team’s slogan, and bracelets with the pediatric division’s logo on them, a color that represents leukemia awareness. Both were provided by the athletic boosters, said Kevin Dowd, president of the athletic boosters.
“We try to help in any way we can,” Dowd said. “That was the least we could do.”
Dowd said more than 220 shirts were made for the event and that there had been support even outside the community.
“Even the other team’s parents donated money,” Dowd said. “People would buy a soda for $1.50, give us a ten and tell us to keep the change.”
Last year, Herricks ran the same fundraiser, raising $3,000 for the student, assistant coach Dan Doherty said.
“It’s a great thing to do and we plan to do it again next year for the student,” Doherty said.
