By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
October 28, 2020-Blood cancer support is important to 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.
The Volpes from left to right: Shaun, Jim, Chelsea and Marianne
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. 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.
Eight years later, over $200,000 has been raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) through the run.
This year due to the pandemic, the race will be virtual. Once registered, you can complete your run anytime up to November 14, 2020. Though so much about our world has changed, the need for us to come together to celebrate our loved ones and rally around this worthy cause has not.
You may click here to register for the virtual event for those who like to run or click here to simply make a donation in Marianne’s memory. In addition to using the website, you may also send a donation check made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma’s Society to:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – LI Chapter
3 Huntington Quadrangle, Suite 202 South
Melville, NY 11747
Cancer continues to affect the lives of many people so patients and their families need our support. LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding research towards cures for blood cancers. Since its inception in 1949, the Society has provided more than $1.2 billion to research specifically targeting blood cancers and that research is paying off. LLS has helped advance 55 of the 65 blood cancer treatment options approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration since 2017.
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.