The Centerville Elks volleyball team will host neighboring rival Fairmont in a GWOC Central match Thursday. But when they meet, don't expect to see their traditional colors. The teams will toss the black and gold, blue and silver, in favor of pink, as they play for a common cause. The Elks and Firebirds match is dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer.
Players, coaches, even the Elks mascot WeeBee, will wear special pink jerseys for the event, and the high school gym will be decked out in pink. The team is asking the community to join them in this effort. They would like fans wearing pink to pack the stands as they Volley for the Cure.
The entire Centerville volleyball program is helping to raise funds through sales of specially designed Volley for the Cure t-shirts, colored pink, of course. Shirts are on sale this week during Centerville High School's lunch hour for $5 each, and if there is inventory still available, will be sold at the game.
Students and community members are snapping up the t-shirts and coordinators have already placed multiple re-orders. Senior co-captain Sarah Koop was enthusiastic about the response, "Walking through the halls, I see so many kids already wearing their pink [Volley for the Cure] t-shirts. It's inspiring to know that students are connecting to the cause and contributing."
The players are creating homemade "pink" baked goods for sale at school during lunch hour and during the game. Game night will also bring raffles and other special events. Proceeds from the fundraisers and half of every admission will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
For some of the players, it's not just pink, it's much more personal. Known for her stinging offense, senior co-captain, Jenna Caylor will have a full heart when she takes the floor Thursday evening. My aunt recently died from breast cancer, so I am glad to have the opportunity to raise awareness and help fight this disease. I will be playing on Thursday in her name."
More than 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Regular mammograms for women over 40 could prevent up to 30 percent of all deaths from breast cancer. When detected early and still confined to the breast, the 5-year survival rate is more than 98 percent, yet nearly 40,000 women die from breast cancer each year.
Although rare, younger women can also develop breast cancer. Approximately 10,000 women under the age of 40 will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, about 1,000 between 20-30 years of age. Young women's cancers are generally more aggressive. It is important for younger women to become familiar with how their breasts look and feel through monthly breast self-exams. Clinical breast exams are recommended for all women at age 20 and at least every three years until age 40 and every year after that.
Senior co-captain Brie Sakach reiterated the educational goals of the event, "I think it's great that awareness is being raised, breast cancer affects so many women today." Miami Valley Hospital will provide breast cancer prevention information onsite during the event.
Featuring two highly competitive teams, Volley for the Cure, Centerville versus Fairmont, promises to be a great game for a great cause. The match will be played at Centerville High School on Thursday, October 4. Freshman and reserve teams play at 5:30 p.m., varsity at 6:30 p.m. Pack the stands in pink!
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