Cold Spring Harbor Student-Athletes Raise Funds For Breast Cancer Support

COLD SPRING HARBOR, NY — Cold Spring Harbor High School juniors Dylan Savarese and Stevie Sullivan are spearheading fundraising efforts for Pink Aid, a national charity dedicated to supporting breast cancer patients in need, the school district announced.

Their dedication and leadership were publicly recognized this year when they received certificates honoring their outstanding contributions in organizing the annual Pink Aid Tennis Tournament for the past two years.

The Pink Aid Tennis Tournament, originally founded six years ago by alumna Veronica Walkin, continues to thrive as it is passed down to younger players. This year’s event marked a significant milestone — participation doubled, and funds raised nearly tripled, reaching an impressive $5.7K in the fall.

Held on the Cold Spring Harbor campus, the tournament features two groups: one for younger student-athletes and another for varsity players, drawing participants from Huntington, Harborfields and surrounding communities.

Beyond the tennis court, the varsity tennis team, coached by Melissa McLees, bolsters their fundraising through bake sales, raffle prizes and merchandise sales. These additional efforts have played a crucial role in strengthening their donations and broadening community engagement.

As Savarese, Sullivan and their teammates look ahead to next year, they remain eager to continue the tradition and serve as role models for the next generation of players who will carry it forward.

Pink Aid’s mission is to "help underserved breast cancer patients survive treatment with support and dignity, to provide screening and financial assistance to those in need, and to empower breast cancer survivors to heal by helping and inspiring others," according to its website.

Pink Aid was founded in 2011 to serve the entire state of Connecticut. A Long Island chapter was founded in 2014 to serve all of Long Island.