By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
October 3, 2019-Although October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, blood cancer support is also an important part of October for the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) because of the life of Marianne Volpe. The Baldwin resident was 56 years old in 2011 when she died of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), an aggressive form of blood cancer, leaving behind her husband Jim, daughters Chelsea and Shaun, three brothers, five sisters and countless friends. There are too many stories of extraordinary people like Marianne whose lives are cut tragically short by this horrible disease.
Jim is a Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Hall of Famer and Chairperson of the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program (ODP). Both Chelsea and Shaun grew up playing in the LIJSL, then played for Manhattan College and are still involved in the game today as adults.
From left to right: Marianne, Shaun, Jim and Chelsea Volpe
The family started the Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run the day before Hurricane Sandy hit the New York metro area in 2012 and both the soccer and running communities have been helping out ever since.
Seven years later, $200,000 has been raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) through the run. This year, in addition to proceeds going to LLS, Northwell Health’s LIJ Monter Cancer Center will also be a beneficiary.
The 8th Annual Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run will be held on Saturday morning, October 26 at Baldwin Harbor Park.
To register or for more info, please click https://www.active.com/baldwin-ny/running/distance-running-races/marianne-volpe-5k-and-pumpkin-fun-run-2019
With approximately 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with nine leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.