Editor’s Note: This article appeared in WIN’s Volume 32 Issue 5, which printed on Jan. 21, 2026.
By Tristan Warner
The campaign slogan says it all. “The world’s toughest sport is taking on the world’s toughest opponent.”
Pin Cancer, founded by Dan Tramontozzi in 2012, is uniting the sport of wrestling to support those affected by cancer.
With teams and individuals around the nation stepping up to support a cause that is bigger than themselves, one of many programs worth spotlighting is North Babylon High School in New York.
Led by head coach Paul Turano, over the last 2 seasons, the North Babylon program has raised around $15,000 with Pin Cancer’s Wrestle for a Cure Campaign and dedicates a night each season to spread awareness to their efforts.
The team’s top fundraiser, Matteo Salina, raised $2,496 total.
“We’re so thankful to have a team like North Babylon find us and do more than most teams do when it comes to fundraising,” Tramontozzi, the founder and executive director, said. “They always go above and beyond when it comes to getting their fans involved by dedicating a home match as a ‘Pin Cancer’ match.
“We were honored to donate the funds they raised last season to help people right in their community. And we’re grateful to see them give back by continuing to raise funds each year for all of our beneficiaries.”
For Turano and his student-athletes, the cause is not only charitable but also therapeutic.
“I got involved with Pin Cancer during my time as coach of another program, so when I was hired at North Babylon, I wanted to make sure I continued that relationship,” Turano said. “Being involved with Dan and his organization touched me deeply. Pin Cancer nights are so important to the community and our team.
“Unfortunately, cancer has impacted the lives of so many. When you sit down and ask the boys who they are wrestling for, and they open up and tell you their stories, it really hits home.”
For the North Babylon wrestling program and the community as a whole, Turano provided numerous examples of personal ties to the cause.
“There are many reasons why it is special to me and to our North Babylon community,” he said. “We have a cancer survivor in our starting lineup. Nick Colucci was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer when he was 5. He had to have surgery to remove 60% of his liver. But Nick is a warrior, a wrestler and he is a three-year member of our varsity team.
“My dad lost his first child, what would have been my older brother, to leukemia when he was three years old. My sister, a former nurse, is fighting stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.
“My nephew, Nicholas, fought brain cancer back in 2020, and thanks to his strength and the amazing work of the doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Nicholas is still here with us today.
“We have one of our wrestling moms who is currently fighting cancer.
“We also have the brother of one of our high school teachers and coaches, who is currently fighting brain cancer. He is a close family friend and father of four.
“So yes, this disease is very important to me and the entire North Babylon community.”
This season, North Babylon held its annual “Pin Cancer” match on Dec. 12 against rival East Islip.
“I would really just say that these Pin Cancer nights become very special,” Turano said. “The kids get to wear special singlets and there is usually a little extra juice in the air by the time the first match goes off.
“This year, our gym was packed for a really great match that was hotly contested. It gives the kids an opportunity to feel like they are fighting for something that we all hope we can beat.”
Visit www.PinCancer.org to join the fight.