![The San Marin boys varsity team honors former coach Craig Pitti by raising money for the American Cancer Society. At this time they are tied for first place nationally in number of pledges. [Emma Williams]](http://smhsponyexpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pitti-3-point-color-2-1200x800.jpg)
After the loss of the boys varsity basketball coach Craig Pitti, the team has worked with the San Marin Interact Club and club manager Jessica Stewart to host “Pitti’s 3-point Challenge.” They have raised a total of $3,896, surpassing their $1,000 goal, and putting them in 2nd place on the national high school leaderboard for the amount raised.
In hope of one day living in a cancer-free world, people can make donations on pledgeit.org so that every time the Mustangs make a 3-point shot, the amount that was donated will go directly to the American Cancer Society (ACS). One-time donations can also be made in Pitti’s name. To continue his legacy, the community of Novato and beyond are pledging their support to Pitti and the ACS.
New varsity basketball coach, Dan Curtaz, and his team want to continue to honor Pitti’s memory by warming up with his name on the back of their jerseys.
Every shot they take means more money to help coaches with cancer just like Pitti. The money raised will go straight to the Coaches vs Cancer fundraiser, which helps unite coaches, players and fans from high schools and colleges, to one day end cancer. The team wants to create a positive 2018 for themselves and teams across the nation that have gone through tragedies similar to theirs.
“Our goal is simple. Give 100 percent every time we put on our jerseys and step on the basketball floor, because that’s what Pitti did; he gave all of us 100 percent every day,” Curtaz said.
Stewart hopes this fundraiser will give people the chance to fight back against a disease that has affected so many loved ones. The efforts of the club and those who have donated are part of Relay For Life of Novato, where teams compete to raise money for the ACS.
The relay takes place on May 19 and 20 at San Jose Middle School, where survivors and caregivers will walk while supporters gather to cheer them on.
“[The American Cancer Society] uses the money for cancer research, patient support, education and prevention and detection and treatment to create a world with more birthdays,” Stewart said.
“[The American Cancer Society] uses the money for cancer research, patient support, education and prevention and detection and treatment to create a world with more birthdays,” Stewart said.
With the overload of support they have received, the Interact Club was excited to hear that they had exceeded their original goal. Further donations are being accepted until February 15, which is a week after the basketball team’s last league game.
The Interact Club, basketball team and San Marin community need help to raise money to honor Pitti and the millions of others who have lost their lives to cancer.
