DiRusso’s Cup Crusaders want you to think pink
Despite pandemic, group pushing ahead with fundraising efforts
lNOMInsTNR » The fight for a cure for breast cancer has been a big piece of Kathy DiRusso’s life, and she believes wholeheartedly when they announce there is a cure, she would have played a small percentage of a role in helping combat the disease.
After walking as an individual in 2002 and 2004, DiRusso formed The Cup Crusaders team in 2005, and the rest is in the Leominster history books.
The number 1,800 is important to her since it is the number of miles she has walked since she began this crusade. DiRusso has also personally raised over $100,000; also crediting her teammate and Leominster native, Jeannie Antonioni, who is a cancer survivor and has walked in 56 walks, 3,360 miles and has raised over $100,000.
“I have never been affected by breast cancer personally, however The Cup Crusaders and I are passionate about finding a cure,” she said. “I believe that if each one of us picks just one thing that has affected someone — someone we love — we could all make a difference.”
Since DiRusso began her “crusade,” she has been unstoppable, and then COVID-19 happened.
“For the first time ever, we were stopped in our tracks,” Di
Russo said.
“The virus caused the cancellation of the Boston 3-Day which would have been this past August,” she said. “Unable to walk, or for that matter host any of our amazing fundraisers, myself and ‘ The Cups’ continue doing all we can to keep our fundraising totals growing in anticipation of the 2021 walks.”
Events that were put on hold due to the pandemic include their annual Woods of Westminster Golf Tournament, the
Mother’s Day Voluntary Toll (like a boot fundraising drive), the Annual Johnny Appleseed Fair, and more.
DiRusso and The Cup Crusaders hope to be back at it again this October, raising awareness and money for a cure to breast cancer, “if you are passionate about something, you need to stick with it,” she said.
This year so far, The Cup Crusaders have raised just shy of $20,000 thankfully able to pull off the 2020 PINK in the RINK with the Worcester Railers in February and last October’s “Ladies of Legends” event.
“This is far short of our goal to raise $100,000 before the 2021 walk next August,” she said.
DiRusso, like many, has faced a short furlough and some financial uncertainty during this tough time but knows there are those who may still have the funds to help us find a cure, and appreciates all donations.
“The Cup Crusaders have raised over $1.4 million for the Susan G. Komen organization thanks to the tremendous generosity of our community, and of course, a lot of hard work and determination,” DiRusso said.
Susan G. Komen® has transformed how the world treats and talks about this disease and have mobilized the largest and most passionate community.
Since 1982, they have funded more than $1 billion in research, more than $2.3 billion in education, screening and treatment, serving millions in over 60 countries worldwide.
The funds raised by passionate 3-Day® supporters and participants is used to invest in cutting-edge research that will lead to new, more effective treatments, working in communities across the country to ensure all people can access the care they need, and mobilizing passionate supporters to make certain the voice of the breast cancer community is heard by policymakers.
DiRusso wants the community to know that they still need your help.
“I want people to realize that COVID-19 has not slowed cancer diagnoses,” she said. “It has only taken center stage as a medical crisis, but I believe it should not diminish the attention and dollars we dedicate towards finding a cure to cancer.”
“I hope that sooner rather than later, we will have a vaccine, and COVID-19 will be a thing of the past,” DiRusso added.
She notes ironically that it was only months ago that same sentence was, “Hopefully sooner rather than later, we will have a cure, and breast cancer will be a thing of the past,” she said. “Ironic, but true.”
As we recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The American Cancer Society urges women to talk to their doctors to find out what is best for them.
“At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, elective medical procedures, including cancer screening, were largely put on hold to prioritize urgent needs and reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19 in healthcare settings,” DiRusso said.
It is more important than ever for women to re-schedule their breast cancer screenings, she said.
“A mammogram — although a quick and easy procedure — is no
woman’s favorite. Any excuse to postpone an annual appointment is not good,” DiRusso said. “I had an appointment canceled during this crisis, but fortunately as Massachusetts numbers improved, the hospital called and rescheduled and I am good for this year.”
There has been progress; new drugs, new treatments, and new hope for those living with metastatic breast cancer, DiRusso said.
“However, there has also been much loss since that time, family members, 3-Day family members, and our own teammate,
Heather Morse, were all lost too soon to this horrible disease,” she said.
With the pandemic putting society “on hold” for so many people, DiRusso also decided to put an important tradition on hold.
For the past 14 years, DiRusso, has dyed her hair all shades of pink, in hopes to raise awareness, attention and ultimately enough like-minded folks to help find a CURE.
However, due to the walks being canceled, she decided to take a break for a year and is finally able to answer that 14-year question she normally hears, “What
color is your natural hair?”
“I can now confidently answer, GRAY!” she said with a smile.
She pledges to keep fighting until a cure is found or she cannot physically do it anymore.
“I made a promise to friends and family years ago, and I am willing to do just that,” DiRusso said. “I need your support, your prayers, and most importantly, your generosity.
For more information on The Cup Crusaders, or how you can help, please call Kathy DiRusso, team captain, at 978-537-4720 or e- mail her at kathydirusso60@gmail.com