After losing an aunt to cancer, Orange’s Jay McGinnis wanted to find a way to get involved and help find a cure for the disease.
McGinnis, an eighth grader who attends St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, found out about the October Saves Challenge — a fundraiser that raises money for cancer research during the month of October — back in 2019 and the hockey goalie signed up for it.
Four years later, McGinnis is continuing the challenge. The October Saves Challenge began in 2014 with goalies of all ages and skill levels across North America gathering pledges for each save they make during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The money raised goes to cancer-fighting beneficiaries across the U.S. and Canada.
“It’s definitely something that I enjoy doing,” McGinnis said. “It’s something that I’ll continue doing for many years to come. It’s a lot of fun and it’s for a good cause.”
McGinnis will be playing for the Fitchburg Junior Falcons and the Minuteman Flames next month, and he said he’ll be extra motivated to make saves to earn as much money as possible for the cause.
It’s a cause McGinnis is passionate about, which is why he continues to participate.
“It started after my aunt passed away from cancer,” McGinnis said. “That was a really big drive for me to find something I could do to raise money for cancer research. That’s why I want to keep it going. Recently this summer my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer and was able to fight it and beat it. That’s just another tally to the reasoning on why I keep doing this. It’s not just for personal and family related reasons, as there’s so many people who’ve been affected by this as well. I know, with my aunt, how that feels to lose somebody to cancer. If there’s anything I can do to contribute to a cure or something along those lines, I’m going to try.”
Those interested in donating can make one of two types of donations: one is a pledge donation which will donate a set amount of money for every save McGinnis made and the other is a flat donation.
To donate, visit https://charity.pledgeit.org/f/wsta0Gs4AQ.