If you walk around downtown Clemson during the month of September and notice a golden ribbon attached to each corner, there’s a good cause behind the decoration.
The Go Gold fundraiser event was hosted on Sept. 14 by the PS Cares Foundation, a new nonprofit organization founded by Paige Comerford and Karla Roth-Bardinas, who are also the co-owners of Pilates Social Clemson.
Comerford lost her dear childhood friend, Mya Lin Terry, to acute myeloid leukemia, inspiring her to donate a portion of Pilates Social profits to support pediatric cancer research and funding.
To raise awareness of the need for childhood cancer exploration and financing during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, a group of participants from Clemson — including students, cheerleaders, business owners and local residents — gathered downtown at Pilates Social for ‘Go Gold Day’ before dispersing with gold bows in hand.
“Each gold bow tied across the City of Clemson is more than a symbol — it’s a call to action. While children fight for their lives, just 4% of federal cancer research funding is allocated to pediatric cancers. We stand in gold to honor every child’s battle and to demand more – more funding, more research and more hope,” Comerford told The Tiger.
The bows wound up wrapped around trees, fences, gates, lamp poles and street signs from Summer Moon Coffee all the way past The Shepard Hotel.
Pilates Social sponsored the supplies for this initiative, including the bows and t-shirts, which Clemson cheerleader Sabrina LoRusso designed to further the need for expanding the monetary and societal investment in pediatric cancer research.
“I think there is a huge lack of information and awareness around childhood cancer. Many people don’t even realize that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,” LoRusso explained.
“Our kids deserve more funding and better treatments with less side effects, which begins with more awareness,” she continued, also mentioning that “Go Gold” aims to provide a visual signifier that prompts “reflection and meaningful conversations about childhood cancer” throughout the Clemson community.
LoRusso called Pilates Social’s dedication to raising awareness “nothing short of inspiring. By hosting this event, they’re not only bringing the Clemson community together, but also showing how local businesses can play a powerful role in raising awareness and creating meaningful change.”
LoRusso is the co-founder of the Olivia Hope Foundation, which honors her twin sister’s battle with acute myeloid leukemia, providing the impetus for her frequent partnership with Pilates Social and her goal of promoting the necessity of an increase in research aid.
“For Mya, Sabrina’s sister, and all children faced with this horrible disease, let’s ‘Go Gold!’” Let’s hang bows everywhere possible so the community can be reminded about how much more needs to be done,” Roth-Bardinas urged. “Taking action in this way is just one small step, but it’s something, and we can’t just do nothing,” she elaborated.
To continue honoring loved ones lost to pediatric cancer while also championing preventative measures and donations for future patients, Pilates Social will host its second annual Hearts of Gold gala on March 6, 2026, at Bleckley Station in Anderson.
While the honorees have not yet been declared, this past spring recognized former Clemson football player Marcus Tate, bestselling author Grace Valentine and the organization Clemson Miracle.
Over 200 people were in attendance to raise money and recognition for pediatric cancer at the first gala, and Pilates Social hopes to amplify its reach this upcoming year.
“We hope everyone will consider coming to our Hearts of Gold Gala in March. It’s a chance to change the future for children with cancer,” Roth-Bardinas told The Tiger. She emphasized the material impact of gala attendance: “Every ticket, every donation, every conversation about this cause helps move us in the direction of hope and change.”
Pilates Social and the PS Cares Foundation will continue to honor the legacy of Mya Lin Terry, as well as advocate for more general awareness and federal funding for pediatric cancer throughout the year by allocating a portion of their profit to discovering enhanced cancer care.
“We are so grateful to this incredible community for its love and support as we try to make a difference in the lives of children and families,” Comerford said.
Follow @pscaresfoundation and @pilatessocialclemson on Instagram for more details.
