This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
11/19/2019 11:00 PMThirty cheerleaders from the Guilford Youth Football & Cheer (GYFC) program raised $250 for the Susan G. Komen New England foundation after listening to Head Coach Erica Janosko talk about her personal history with breast cancer and what it means to wear pink in October. The girls now know that pink is more than just a color are motivated to raise even more money next year.
In late September, Guilford’s cheerleaders were handed pink pom-poms and socks to accompany their green and white uniforms. As the girls sat in a circle receiving their new accessories, Coach Janosko’s daughter Aliana presented each cheerleader with special personalized pink bow with the recognizable breast cancer ribbon and the letter “E” in honor of their coach. Aliana wanted “something to sparkle the way my mom does,” and worked with the other coaches to surprise her mother.
Janosko was spontaneously motivated to share her story and explain what breast cancer is in a kind and age-appropriate manner. It was an experience that inspired the girls to collect donations during the halftime of each Guilford Youth Football home game this fall. While donning special “I Cheer For...” stickers that included a name of someone they wanted to honor, the girls collected donations in a pink bucket. Guilford fans, as well as spectators from Wallingford, North Haven, Shelton, Madison, and Cheshire, all contributed.
“The memories of cancer are never far. Small things can bring you back to those moments—smell, the sight of bandana, a date on the calendar,” Janosko said. “I try to live in the moment as much as I can. These girls bring out the best in me, and I am so thankful to be able to coach my daughter and for the support I have from my family and friends.”
After years of treatment, Janosko is in remission, but remains aware of how cancer can return. Her resilience shows in her day-to-day life as a wife and working mother of two athletic kids: Jacob and Aliana.
When the previous head coach left the program last year, Janosko stepped up to take the position with Alisha Rayner Romano and assistant coaches Jennifer Labbadia-Colón, Brita Rayner Romano, and Tina Messercola. Together, they recruited 30 girls, doubling the size of last year’s team, and enabling the creation of two squads to raise the spirit of Guilford Youth Football spectators.
“Erica has a special approach and appreciation that I can imagine comes from going through something so intense. Her approach is positive and inclusive. She jumped in to coach these girls and is committed to growing this program,” GYFC president Rance Hillier said. “When approached for approval to collect donations during Guilford games, my immediate response was, ‘Run with it.’ I love it and support it 100 percent.”
GYFC will be cutting a check for Susan G. Komen New England. Anyone who would like to donate and help the team get closer to its goal of raising $500 may do so by contacting Jennifer Labbadia-Colón at 617-820-8202.