Amidst an emotional backdrop, the Derry Little League Jimmy Fund Team got off to a tremendous start in raising money for the fight against cancer. However, the town’s Little League continues to look for help in its efforts to raise money for Dana Farber and cancer research.
The campaign, Little Leaguers Take a Swing at Cancer, will run through Monday, August 11. To date, the program has raised roughly $1,000, according to Derry resident Susan McGill, who is involved with the Little League’s effort to support cancer research.
“It was a great first week of fundraising for the Derry Red Competitive Jimmy Fund team,” McGill said. Sources of funding came from donations from friends and family, as well as a canning event held on June 29 at the Hess Gas Station on Crystal Ave., Marcotte also said.
This year’s campaign is particularly emotional because of the recent loss of a Derry youngster. Alanna Marcotte, 13, a student at West Running Brook Middle School, died on April 22 after multiple bouts with Osteosarcoma.
South Range Elementary School teacher Sara Muncey supported Marcotte and her family through numerous efforts, including her work with the Pan Mass Challenge. Muncey and McGill teamed up earlier this spring to run a successful South Range campaign entitled Coins Against Cancer, that, combined with a match from the Derry Village Rotary, totaled $4,000 raised for the Jimmy Fund.
McGill noted that the team decided just last week to play the season in honor of Marcotte.
“We have a lot of spectacular events planned in the next six weeks that I want to share with the community in hopes of raising awareness and as much money as possible for pediatric cancer awareness,” McGill said. “Our goal for this season both on the field and off is one that Alanna lived her life by, NEGU (Never Ever Give Up).”
