Number of Participants: 45
Hours Donated: 10
Value of Time Served: $3,803
Event Amount Raised: $1,400
Event Type: Health & Medicine
Sport: Swimming
School: Amherst Central High School
Date: October 7, 2024
Location:
Amherst Central High School
Main Street, Buffalo
NY
About:
On October 7th, the Amherst Central and Williamsville East swim teams came together for their annual “Pink the Pool” event, a long-standing tradition dedicated to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer. This year, 45 athletes participated—33 from Williamsville East and 12 from Amherst Central. The event, a beloved tradition that started in 2009, has grown into a meaningful way for the teams to give back to their community while honoring a cause that impacts many.
The “Pink the Pool” event began when the former coach of Williamsville East, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and made a full recovery, decided to start a fundraiser in support of breast cancer awareness. When Coach Mike Giancarlo took over in 2014, he felt it was vital to continue this important tradition. “We explain to the girls that this is a disease that will likely impact them in some fashion throughout their lifetime, and doing something like this transcends the sport of swimming,” Giancarlo said.
This year’s fundraiser raised over $1,400, with all proceeds going to the ECMC Foundation to support the Pink Mobile Mammography bus, which provides vital services to women in need. The athletes worked hard to decorate the pool and gather donations from family and friends. They creatively raised funds by offering pink swim caps, donated by Ad-Pro Sports via ECMC, and having supporters sign them in exchange for a donation. This not only helped raise funds but also sparked conversations about breast cancer awareness. Fans could also contribute by purchasing items like headbands, hair ties, and pink ribbons, and a 50/50 raffle added to the fundraising total.
The “Pink the Pool” event stands as a reminder of the power of sports to inspire and make a difference, uniting the teams, their schools, and the broader community in the fight against breast cancer. Thanks to the dedication of the Amherst and Williamsville East swim teams, the tradition continues to thrive, making a lasting impact both in and out of the pool.
