WANTAGH, N.Y.- Members of the Dowling College women’s lacrosse team volunteered at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk held at Jones Beach this weekend.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks are the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation, uniting nearly 300 communities with a shared determination to finish the fight. Every Making Strides event is an incredible and inspiring opportunity to unite as a community to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, raise awareness about the disease, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives from breast cancer by funding groundbreaking breast cancer research, providing free comprehensive information and support, and helping people take steps to reduce their risk of the disease or find it early when it’s most treatable.

In recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, East Islip High School’s varsity and JV girls volleyball teams partnered with the Side-Out Foundation for the school’s annual Dig Pink rally on Oct. 15.

Preceded by weeklong Dig Pink T-shirt sales and a bake sale earlier in the day, the event raised $413 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. EI students showed their support by wearing pink and visiting the gym after school to enjoy delicious treats and exciting volleyball games, as did Superintendent of Schools John V. Dolan.

“Before the game, Superintendent Dolan stopped by to have a pep talk with the girls, and they all played hard to spike out cancer,” said head volleyball coach Romina Chacon.

IMG_3688: The East Islip High School girls varsity volleyball team celebrated the school’s annual Dig Pink rally on Oct. 15 with Superintendent John V. Dolan and Athletic Director Stephen Restivo.

Photos by East Islip School District

Members of Calhoun High School’s National Honor Society raised $1,058 for the American Cancer Society’s fight against breast cancer.

The top fundraiser was Taylor Munson, who collected $110 for the honor society’s effort. In addition, 28 students participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Jones Beach on Oct. 18.

Photo Caption: Members of Calhoun High School’s National Honor Society.

Photo courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Great Hollow Middle School in the Smithtown Central School District held a Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser on Nov. 2. Thanks to donations from students, teachers, staff and parents, the event raised more than $1,800 to be donated to pancreatic cancer research.

During the school day, students and staff dressed in purple for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. After school, the football, field hockey, boys and girls soccer teams all participated in games in honor of the effort. Close to 300 students stayed after school to watch the games, while PTA and student volunteers and members of the track team helped to collect donations.

Photo Captions: Great Hollow Middle School in the Smithtown Central School District raised more than $1,800 for pancreatic cancer research during its Coaches vs. Cancer event on Nov. 2.

Photo courtesy of the Smithtown Central School District