Globe Link

Issue date: 10/14/09 Section: Campus

Media Credit: David Horne SLCC's Women's Volleyball team warms up before the game Friday, Oct. 9, 2009 in brink pink shirts as a part of 'Dig Pink.'

Media Credit: David Horne Melissa Fifita and Coach Sue Delaney honoring Joyce Larsen, Melissa's grandmother, a breast cancer survivor.

About 192,370 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year according to the Susan G. Komen website. The SLCC's Women's Volleyball team is part of "Dig Pink," which takes place during the month of October. The Dig Pink Campaign, which is under the Side-Out Foundation, is a Breast Cancer Awareness Rally to raise awareness and funds. The name Side-Out comes from a volleyball term meaning when one team wins a point while its opponent is serving, in so doing the team regains the serve or control of the play. Every year the Side-Out Foundation holds thousands of High School and College matches throughout the country to help educate as well as raise funds to eliminate breast cancer.

Being part of Dig Pink was Volleyball Coach Sue Delaney's idea according to Athletic Director Norma Carr. This was the first year the Volleyball team decided to be apart of Dig Pink and for the rest of October those who attend homes games wearing pink get in for free.

The total donation goal the Bruins are trying to meet is $500. "Dig Pink is a month long and so far we are a third of the way to our goal," says Rick Medley, Lifetime Activities Center Coordinator.

"Being part of Dig Pink is a college movement, it's across the country," says Anne Marie Jensen, Salt Lake Community College Development Officer. Students at the game came wearing pink to support the cause. During the game volunteer parents were selling Breast Cancer Awareness merchandise.

The Volleyball team has been every engaged in this campaign. The team created bracelets and Dig Pink T-shirts to sell as a part of their fundraising. At each home game the volleyball team auctions off an autographed team photo as well.

Before the Friday nights game, Bruin's player Melissa Fifita's grandmother was recognized. Fifita's grandmother, Joyce Larsen, has been a Breast Cancer Survivor for eight years now. "I feel good about being part of Dig Pink because we give money back to the people of breast cancer. I thought about my Grandma when we became apart of this. The team loves my Grandma," says Melissa Fifita.

This coming spring the Softball team will also be raising awareness for breast cancer as well. This will be their second year being apart of 'Swing For Life,' which is based in Utah.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools