St. John’s Hosts the Seventh-Annual Dribble For The Cure Fundraiser

St. John’s couldn’t have asked for a better day this morning as the weather was absolutely perfect for their seventh-annual Dribble for the Cure fundraiser, as part of University Service Day on the St. John’s Queens Campus.

The Red Storm’s men and women’s basketball programs once again joined forces with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) to raise awareness and money to help save the lives of children battling cancer. St. John’s Dribble for the Cure has attracted hundreds of participants annually and has raised more than $500,000 for pediatric cancer research since 2011.

Last year's event had a record-breaking year, raising over $100,000. The proceeds raised from this event will be directed to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, led by Dr. Mitchell S. Cairo, in support of the Pediatric Cancer Research Laboratory at New York Medical College. Dr. Mitchell S. Cairo also serves as the director of the Children and Adolescent Cancer and Blood Diseases Center at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.

Festivities began outside of Carnesecca Arena at 9 A.M. this morning, kicking things off with a festival featuring the St. John’s cheerleaders and band, games and refreshments. The festival served as a wonderful opportunity for participants to interact with the players and coaches by taking photos and receiving autographs.

Each participant had the task of collecting pledges for their “dribble” and became eligible for prizes based on the amount of pledge money they raised by the date of the event. In addition to collecting their pledges, each participant received a Dribble for the Cure t-shirt.

To cap off this festive fundraiser, participants were given the opportunity to bring their own basketball and Dribble for the Cure around the St. John's Queens campus and ending at Carnesecca Arena, alongside the players and coaches from both the St. John’s men’s and women’s teams.

At the end of today’s Dribble for the Cure event, participants raised an impressive total of $62,000 improving the lasting impact this foundation has on the community.