Community Corner

Local Charity and Pittsburgh Pirates Looking for Thyroid Cancer Survivors

Butterfly Bandits is looking for thyroid cancer survivors to join the organization at the Sept. 15 Pirates game.

A local organization is looking for thyroid cancer survivors to be recognized at a Pittsburgh Pirates game this fall.

Butterfly Bandits, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Pirates Awareness Series, is hosting Thyroid Cancer Awareness Day on Sept. 15.

“We’re looking for survivors from the area to recognize as part of this event,” said Butterfly Bandits co-founder, Christine Sypien. “Anyone from Allegheny or Washington Counties, or the ones surrounding.”

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Sypien, of Scott Township, is herself a thyroid cancer survivor, as is the organization’s co-founder, Donna Terlecki of Brookline.

In addition to recognizing survivors, Butterfly Bandits also is selling tickets to the Sept. 15 game.

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A portion of proceeds from tickets sold by Butterfly Bandits will be donated back to the organization, which in turn will donate the funds to UPCI Multidisciplinary Thyroid Cancer Research Center.

If Butterfly Bandits is able to sell 300 tickets, the survivors will be recognized on the field before the game starts. If fewer tickets are sold, the survivors still will be recognized at an official tailgate prior to the game.

Sypien said she is grateful for the help of the Pirates organization, and for all the Pittsburgh people and organizations who have helped the Butterfly Bandits cause so far. at Cain’s Saloon, and raised $3,074 for thyroid cancer research.

“The Penguins and Steelers helped me with that one, and the Pirates are helping me with this one,” she said. “We’re really glad they could do this day for us.”

Survivors who want to be recognized can contact Sypien at mrssyp@gmail.com.

A flyer for the event, which lists ticket costs and includes an order form, is attached to this article in PDF format.

If you’re going:

  • What: Thyroid Cancer Awareness Day.
  • When: Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Where: PNC Park, during Pittsburgh Pirates v. Chicago Cubs game.

For tickets, fill out the attached form and mail, with payment, to Pittsburgh Pirates, Attn: Chaz Kellem, 115 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15212.  For more information, contact Chaz Kellem at 412-325-4731 or Chaz.Kellem@pirates.com.


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