Each Year High School Teams Come Together Raise Funds To Fight Cancer

High school baseball rivals Penfield and Fairport High Schools in Rochester, New York have been coming together for the last 11 years for its “Annual Strikeout Cancer Event”. This year’s 12th annual event held in June pitted each school’s varsity and junior varsity teams against each in the spirit of raising funds to help fight cancer.

This year the event honored Rick Schiffhauer who is battling pancreatic cancer. The event donated the proceeds to The Seena Magowitz Foundation which supports Rick and others in their fight against pancreatic cancer. Rick is the Founder of Smash It Sports.

“Every young baseball player in Penfield and Fairport can’t wait until they reach JV and Varsity to play in the Strikeout Cancer game. We all have Strikeout Cancer t-shirts from every single year and wear them proudly. It means a lot to be a part of raising money for charity and by doing it through something we love, we’ve learned that we can make a difference in the community. We know that this game meant a lot to Coach Marcin because we honored his former boss and mentor, Rick Schiffhauer, and even though our two teams are rivals, we all knew we were playing this game for a bigger purpose, which felt great.”

Tommy further said that “It means at great deal to be a part of raising money for charity by doing it through playing baseball which is something we love to do. We’ve learned that that we can make a difference in the community. We know this game meant a lot to Coach Marcin we honored his former boss and mentor Rick Schiffhauer, and even thought our two teams are rivals, we all knew we were playing this for a bigger purpose”.

“We are proud that two rival high schools can join forces year after year to raise money for important work that is being done for cancer research and treatment,” said Amy DiFranco, President of Penfield Baseball Booster Association. “During the 5th inning stretch, all players and spectators raise their “I Stand Up For Cancer” cards with the names of people they love who have been affected by cancer.

“During that moment of silence, we all feel the impact and effect of coming together to honor and remember those whose lives have been affected by cancer.  We are grateful to our community that came out in full force for the record-breaking fundraiser and to the players and coaches for their camaraderie and sportsmanship throughout the event.”

Over 300 spectators attended the two games, along with a few special guests. Both of the town Supervisors, both School Superintendents and High School Principals, and both Little League Presidents also attended and spoke at the event. The city leaders expressed the importance of the event and appreciation to the event organizers and teams for their hard work in raising money for charity.

According to Roger Magowitz, the founder of the Seena Magowitz Foundation in honor of his Mother who lost the battle to pancreatic cancer in 2002, “it is amazing that young men who are normally rivals on the baseball diamond can come together every year to enjoy mutual camaraderie of supporting the fight against cancer”.

Roger further expressed “that their parents and coaches must be so proud of these young athletes who are ideal role models for young people”. And on behalf of the foundation, thanks to all for helping to fight this dreadful disease.