When a faculty member was diagnosed with breast cancer, the Skyline High School girl’s volleyball team rallied together to plan a “Dig Pink” night. This is a fundraiser held by many schools in October during breast cancer awareness month. However, for the Skyline High School girl’s volleyball team, it is an especially meaningful event because of the people close to them who are currently fighting the disease.
The Event
Wendy Wood, a McGrath Insurance Group team member, is proud of her two daughters who planned and hosted the event.
Maci Johnson, Wood’s daughter and coach of the team, decided it was important to carry on the “Dig Pink” event tradition. Maegan Wood, Wood’s other daughter and a player on the team, drew the artwork for the t-shirts.
The gym was decorated in shades of pink and the players each wore pink jerseys and socks. The coaches and most spectators wore pink too.
The Fundraisers
At the event, the team sold raffle tickets for a gift basket of goodies and a drawing. Maci also drew a picture that was given away in a raffle. There were also cake balls for sale. The team opened a donation box where attendees could give any amount of money in recognition of someone currently or previously fighting cancer. Upon donating, the person’s name was written on a paper volleyball and hung on the “hometown heroes” wall.
The Results
The Skyline Lady Tigers played a match against the Strafford High School Lady Indians. Before the Varsity game, Coach Johnson spoke to the crowd about breast cancer awareness. She gave statistics and described the dangers of the disease. At the end, she encouraged everyone to get their routine mammograms and attend all routine doctor’s appointments.
The People Fighting Breast Cancer
Many volleyball teams in the Lake of Ozarks area host a “Dig Pink” night to raise money for breast cancer. For Skyline High School, this fundraiser hits extra close to home.
There are several teachers that have been affected by breast cancer. For them, this night was especially meaningful. In addition, one of the player’s moms and a teacher at the school was diagnosed with breast cancer. She goes to every game watching her senior daughter play. After going through her treatments last school year and a little through the summer, she is doing very well now.
The girls and attendees put a face to the disease, encouraging community donations to support locals fighting this type of cancer.
