Pink Ribbon Of The Month, August: Temple University Football

The grassroots activism that makes Susan G. Komen for the Cure a worldwide leader is definitely going strong throughout the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate service area. The ongoing efforts of Temple University football, led by head coach Al Golden and his wife, Kelly, create an excellent example.  


This month, we are proud to honor Al, Kelly, the players, spirit teams, staff and supporters of Temple University Football with our "Pink Ribbon of the Month." More than a year ago, the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure was approached by Al and Kelly, who were simply looking to get involved and support the Komen promise. Little did we know this "involvement" would include 110% dedication, energy and action not just from Al and Kelly, but from anyone and everyone related to Temple Football - from coaches and players, to cheerleaders, communications teams and fans.  

This July, the Philadelphia Sports Congress recognized Al and the team with its 2009 Community Service Award for tremendous outreach into the community. At the award ceremony, Coach Golden turned right around and announced the donation of the monetary portion of the award to the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate. This amazing gesture was yet another demonstration of their complete devotion to empowering the fight against breast cancer in our community.


"Temple University's mission will always be rooted in the personal potential of those that comprise our own communities," said Coach Golden. "For our student-athletes, stewardship, gratitude, and contributing to the comfort of the less fortunate are part of our team's fabric and one of the pillars of our leadership philosophy. They have not only devoted time, but have chosen a cause beyond oneself."

 

In addition, last October, Temple Football launched Owls for the Cure,™ culminating in a moving "pink out" of Lincoln Financial Field, which helped heighten awareness far and wide (the game was broadcast nationally on ESPN 2) while also raising thousands of dollars for the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate. But that initiative was only the beginning. The team has selflessly dedicated hours of hard work - during the height of their season - volunteering for the Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure, Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day, and more.  Wherever they go, this team warms every heart, radiating happiness, confidence in a cure and hope that a world without breast cancer is just around the corner.

"It's difficult to point to a single aspect that makes our relationship with Temple Football so meaningful," said Elaine I. Grobman, Executive Director of the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate. "Perhaps it can best be summed up by the phrase 'a new generation.'  This team continually impresses the point that, to them, Komen represents an opportunity to be part of the breast cancer movement and to make a statement that they are the generation that will lead us to a world without breast cancer."

The Komen Philadelphia Affiliate congratulates Temple Football on their recent award, and sincerely thanks them for all they do for the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate, as well as to serve many important needs throughout our community. In all they do, Temple Football continually helps us to dream bigger and make it happen.  

Photo by Cathy Bongiovi/Temple Athletics. Pictured at the Philadelphia Sports Congress Award Ceremonies on July 8, 2009 (L to R): Lamar McPherson, Deven Baker, Ryan McNamee, Danial McNamee, Al Golden, Amara Kamara, Dominique Harris, and Marlin Terrell.