North Branford Girls’ Soccer Team Thinks Pink

It was just before Christmas in 2007 and right around her daughter birthday when Maria Anderson was diagnosed with breast cancer. Maria spent the next six to eight months undergoing several different surgeries and reconstruction.

“That certainly was a really tough time of year, but I was very fortunate to be diagnosed so early,” Maria said. “It was a long haul, a lot to go through, but I’m very thankful I didn’t have to go through the additional treatments like many other women do.”

By the time Shannon was a freshman, a degree of normalcy was returning to the Anderson’s lives. Shannon joined the high school soccer team and by the time she was entering her sophomore year, Maria had begun thinking about raising awareness for breast cancer.

“I knew I wanted to do something to turn things around and give back because I was very fortunate to have so many supportive people around me and a support group of other women through the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation [TBBCF].” said Maria. “I saw other teams doing fundraisers so I approached [Coach] Rick [Geremia] and he was very responsive.”

In 2009–Shannon’s sophomore year–Maria worked with other parents to host a Breast Cancer Awareness Night at one of the team’s home games with a bake sale and raffles.

“I’ve had so much support; I was just overwhelmed,” said Maria. “We have tons of food to sell and it’s been a great turnout. The girls think it’s really great and the JV players walk through stands with cupcakes and cookies and raffle tickets.”

While one night is dedicated to fundraising with all proceeds going to the TBBCF, the team has been showing its support throughout the month of October with their bright pink Breast Cancer Awareness socks. Maria approached Geremia with the idea a few years ago and he, in turn, asked his captains at the time who thought it was a great idea.

Since then, the T-Birds have used money they earn in various fundraisers throughout the year to purchase their pink socks. The socks were originally intended to be worn for the fundraiser night only, but the team has chosen to wear them all month long.

Though Maria has not shared her story with the entire team, she says many of the girls–especially those in Shannon’s class who are now seniors–know that she is a breast cancer survivor.

“The girls she’s closest to know what she’s been through and they know that she and I have a personal connection to the cause,” said Maria. “There are also other girls’ moms or people they know who have had breast cancer or other family members with different types of cancer so I think they get it and I’m hoping it means something to them as well.”

The girls’ soccer team’s fundraising night has raised more than $200 in each of the past three years and Maria is hoping to surpass that amount at this The T-Birds take on Cromwell at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14. There will be a bake sale and raffle and fans are encouraged to wear pink.

It will also be North Branford Youth Soccer night. Any player from NBYS wearing his or her team shirt will receive free admission.

“We may not raise a ton of money, but every little bit makes a difference,” said Maria, noting the that TBBCF puts 100 percent of money toward research. “We just want to get everyone we know out there and try to raise money for a great cause and remind women to get mammograms.”

Check out the TBBCF's Facebook page.