Correction Appended Below
Many Washington University varsity programs have been or will be promoting cancer awareness during the 2008-2009 school year.
Women’s soccer began October by tying pink ribbons to their left ankles.
“Throughout the month of October, we take a pink ribbon and tie it around our left ankle to show our respect for breast cancer awareness. It started with our old head coach. Her mom died a couple of years ago from breast cancer. I hope that it shows we’re very supportive of the cause, ” Shirey Lane, a senior captain on the team, said.
The volleyball team also recently hosted the University of Missouri-St. Louis last Wednesday on the first Dig for the Cure night at Washington University. Sponsors pledged money for each dig their team had during the match. The Bears ended up losing 3-2 to the Tritons but raised more than $3,000 for the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation.
“From watching on the bench, it seemed like we were more on defense. Every time someone got a dig, our bench went crazy. We tried to get as many digs as possible…I think fans were getting into it, too. We had a pretty good time, especially for a Wednesday night. It was nice to see everybody out there,” senior, co-captain Alli Alberts said.
Other teams will continue to raise breast cancer awareness. In February, the women’s basketball team will be participating in its annual Think Pink event. Players on the Red and Green and visiting team will shed their schools’ colors and instead both wear pink to support and raise money for breast cancer awareness.
“I feel as if there may be a sense of motivation [playing at a cancer awareness event] because we are essentially playing to increase awareness and hopefully raise money for the cure,” sophomore Monika Monson said.
Men’s basketball head coach Mark Edwards will also be speaking at Coaches vs. Cancer, on Nov. 1. This event is a joint effort between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball and encompasses all divisions of NCAA basketball. Coach Edwards will be one of many coaches across the nation to bring hope to those affected by cancer and awareness to those who want to learn more.
Whether it’s through the clothes they wear or the words they speak, Washington University student-athletes and coaches are doing more than just fighting to win a National Championship. They are inspiring themselves and their fans, as they face the one opponent everyone can root against.
Correction
A story on Monday, October 27 ("Teams suit up against cancer") mistakenly reported in a quote that the mother of former a women's soccer head coach had passed away from breast cancer. In fact, the head coach's mother survived her bout with cancer, which is currently in remission. Student Life regrets the error.
