Pole vaulter honors mom through fundraiser
It’s not a big leap to figure out that Butler High senior Aubrey Rock is not only an outstanding athlete, but also a caring daughter.
Rock was in third grade when she learned her mother, Michelle, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36.
Michelle is a nursing instructor at Butler County Community College, and her husband, Aubrey’s dad, is a nurse anesthetist at Butler Memorial Hospital.
At just 8 years old, Aubrey began selling “let’s kick cancer” bracelets at school, and a few years later, she applied for and received a $1,000 grant.
She finally raised a total of $1,500, and decided this year to use her athletic prowess to raise money for breast cancer research and to assist young women who have been diagnosed.
Aubrey, a retired level 10 gymnast and track and field athlete, developed a love for pole vaulting and won the AAA girls WPIAL pole vault championship in the spring.
She asked her mentor, Bradi Rhoades, owner of the Vault Shack in Volant, if she could hold a fundraiser at the facility to raise money for breast cancer research and to help young women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Pole Vault for a Cure, held Aug. 24 at the Vault Shack, drew 27 vaulters.
“The people who came were super supportive and had (breast cancer) stories of their own,” Aubrey said. “It’s awesome that Bradi let us have the event at the Vault Shack.
“He didn’t even think twice or charge us for having it there. He is very big on giving back to community.”
Aubrey designed T shirts, organized a concession stand, and asked vaulters to write encouraging notes to be shared with women going through treatment for breast cancer at a local medical facility.
Two women undergoing treatment attended Pole Vault for a Cure with their families. Aubrey made gift baskets for both of the women, with whom the Rock family continues to correspond.
Pole Vault for a Cure raised $2,600, which will be presented to the Glimmer of Hope Foundation in Pittsburgh in the near future.
“I think it’s amazing,” Michelle Rock said of her daughter’s efforts to raise money for breast cancer causes. “Ever since we told her (about the diagnosis), she has recognized the silver linings that were part of this for our family.”
She said Aubrey plans to make Vault for a Cure an annual event at the Vault Shack.
‘I just think that she is so kind and caring and compassionate,” Michelle said. “I think she’s got a really big heart and she works so hard in everything she does.”
She said her thoughts often go back to Aubrey’s third-grade year, and how afraid she was to tell her little daughter about her diagnosis.
“And here we are, as we all watch her transform this hard time for our family into a platform for advocacy, caring and compassion,” Michelle said. “Our family is so proud of her.”
