Madison Area YMCA Rosettes Raise Money To Fight Breast Cancer

Caption:Rosettes at the Pink Invitational: Back row: Carina Cooke, 16, of East Hanover; Emma D'Addezio, 17, of Chatham; Charlotte Petrocelli, 16, of Madison. Middle row: Avery Buckman, 17, of Chatham; Meghan Peebles, 17, of Chatham; Charlotte Hamilton, 17, of Chatham; Julie Gann, 17, of Madison; Hannah Conti, 16, of Chatham. Front row:

Jordyn Sterkel, 17, of Madison; Morgan Driscoll, 16, of Madison.

The Madison Area YMCA Rosettes were among 4,000 gymnasts that participated in the Pink Invitational, an event that honors those diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancers, in Philadelphia at the end of February. The Rosettes gymnastics team had a strong connection to the cause since Madison Area YMCA Senior Director of Gymnastics & Y Ninja Gym Ellen Gavin is an ovarian cancer survivor.

The Pink Invitational was started in 2009 by Olympian, long-time gymnastics coach and breast cancer survivor Sue Weldon. All proceeds went to Weldon’s foundation Unite for HER that enriches the health and well-being of breast and ovarian cancer patients through funding and delivering integrative therapies. The foundation also teaches women and girls about the importance of wellness.

The Rosettes gymnastics team also took part in the Above & Beyond Team Challenge that raised an extra $500 to help support the Pink Invitational/Unite for HER efforts.

As a mission-driven nonprofit, the Madison Area YMCA is dedicated to empowering young people to reach their full potential, improving individual and community well-being, and providing support and inspiring action in our communities.