Aaron Depew, treasurer of the Butler boys soccer team, shakes hands with a representative of the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute in Butler Wednesday. The soccer team raised money for the cancer center's patient fund.

Butler High School's boys soccer team battles more than its opponents each October.

It fights breast cancer as well.

For years, the Golden Tornado has used Breast Cancer Awareness Month to generate donations toward helping women cope with the disease.

“The heart of our season is October, so why not use that to raise some money for a good cause?” Aaron Depew, Butler boys soccer treasurer, said. “It's been a tradition of our soccer program, a part of our season, for a long time.

“I mean, it goes way back.”

Butler boys soccer has donated to the Susan Komen Foundation for many years. Three years ago, it raised approximately $2,000 dollars to benefit Butler teacher Julie Baccanti as she fought breast cancer. Baccanti donated much of that to the AHN Cancer Institute.

This year, the team raised $500 and presented a check in that amount to the AHN Cancer Institute Wednesday at its Pullman Square facility.

“I think it's awesome,” said Brenda Andreassi, a nurse navigator at AHN Cancer Institute. “We've had other organizations contribute to the cause in different ways.

“One provided stockings for the patients. Another provided holiday meals. For a group of young kids like this soccer team to think of other people like this and not themselves is impressive.”

A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.