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Derby, Ansonia team up for a worthy cause
More than just a softball game will take place when Derby visits Valley rival Ansonia on Thursday (4 p.m.).
The teams have joined up to hold a fund raising event for breast cancer awareness.
The game will serve as a benefit for the Connecticut affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Admission is $5 for all ages to enter the game. There will be food, raffle prizes and a 50-50 raffle. Proceeds will be donated to the Griffin Hospital (Derby) cancer center and to the Komen foundation.
"We're just trying to do as much as we can that day to raise money for breast cancer awareness because it hit so close to home for me and my wife," Derby coach Joe DiMartino said. "The girls really wanted to do something to make a difference."
Earlier this year, DiMartino's wife Lori was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. Two weeks ago she had a double mastectomy and will find out later this week the course of treatment she will undergo during her recovery.
After Lori DiMartino's diagnosis, the Red Raiders decided to hold a charity event, something the softball team is doing for the first time.
The DiMartino's daughter Jordyn is a senior captain at Derby.
"We decided to play a game with Ansonia and make the proceeds go to breast cancer awareness," Jordyn said. "I think it would be a good thing if this could continue with Ansonia and be something that we can always do. "
Said Joe DiMartino: "I really wanted to have a Valley school involved. Tony (Piccolo), the AD over there (at Ansonia) has been fantastic. He's been very supportive, as has Lindsay Wheeler (the Ansonia coach). I think it's going to be a great day. I hope we get a lot of people to come out to support the cause and see a good softball game."
Joe DiMartino says the Derby players and coaches have worn pink shoelaces this season. (Pink is the international symbol for breast cancer awareness). His wife's diagnosis has certainly put life in perspective.
"You don't think it's ever going to happen to you and then it does," Joe DiMartino said. "There's definitely bigger things than softball. We're trying to make things as normal as possible for Jordyn because this is her senior year. I haven't missed too much as far as games or practice, but my wife comes first with appointments and everything else. I'm lucky to have such great assistants that I can leave the team with and know they will get everything done even if I'm not there."
The teams have joined up to hold a fund raising event for breast cancer awareness.
The game will serve as a benefit for the Connecticut affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Admission is $5 for all ages to enter the game. There will be food, raffle prizes and a 50-50 raffle. Proceeds will be donated to the Griffin Hospital (Derby) cancer center and to the Komen foundation.
"We're just trying to do as much as we can that day to raise money for breast cancer awareness because it hit so close to home for me and my wife," Derby coach Joe DiMartino said. "The girls really wanted to do something to make a difference."
Earlier this year, DiMartino's wife Lori was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. Two weeks ago she had a double mastectomy and will find out later this week the course of treatment she will undergo during her recovery.
After Lori DiMartino's diagnosis, the Red Raiders decided to hold a charity event, something the softball team is doing for the first time.
The DiMartino's daughter Jordyn is a senior captain at Derby.
"We decided to play a game with Ansonia and make the proceeds go to breast cancer awareness," Jordyn said. "I think it would be a good thing if this could continue with Ansonia and be something that we can always do. "
Said Joe DiMartino: "I really wanted to have a Valley school involved. Tony (Piccolo), the AD over there (at Ansonia) has been fantastic. He's been very supportive, as has Lindsay Wheeler (the Ansonia coach). I think it's going to be a great day. I hope we get a lot of people to come out to support the cause and see a good softball game."
Joe DiMartino says the Derby players and coaches have worn pink shoelaces this season. (Pink is the international symbol for breast cancer awareness). His wife's diagnosis has certainly put life in perspective.
"You don't think it's ever going to happen to you and then it does," Joe DiMartino said. "There's definitely bigger things than softball. We're trying to make things as normal as possible for Jordyn because this is her senior year. I haven't missed too much as far as games or practice, but my wife comes first with appointments and everything else. I'm lucky to have such great assistants that I can leave the team with and know they will get everything done even if I'm not there."
posted by Mike Pucci at
5:03 PM
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