Ags help fight breast cancer
After donating half its proceeds from the annual Dig for a Cure fundraiser, the Utah State University volleyball team was recognized by the Women’s Center Advisory Board for its efforts Tuesday.
The team, which has been involved in the annual Plant a Pink Tulip program since 1998, donated money towards the installation of fence to help prevent students from trampling the flowers that are planted each year as a memorial to people affected by breast cancer.
“Every 12 minutes a woman with breast cancer dies,” board member Sandy Hayes said. “These tulips are to not only remember those who have died, but to celebrate those who have survived.”
During October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness, and November the volleyball team takes pledges and donations for each dig they record, head coach Burt Fuller said. Each year, half of the proceeds earned are donated.
“It’s really good for the girls to get involved,” assistant coach Heather Olmstead said. “Because we are females and we are affected by this. Most of us have been, or know someone who has been affected by breast cancer.”
Janet Osborne, director of the Women’s Center said she remembered the first time the volleyball team participated in the event.
“They didn’t have any shovels or spades,” she said. “But they showed up with spoons to dig with.”
Osborne said she has been pleased with the team’s support over the years.
“They work really hard,” she said. “They’re just very special.”
“Burt, I thank you for involving the team in this project,” she said to the team’s coach during the presentation.
For their efforts, Osborne presented coaches and players with a plaque.
Kim Rives, a breast cancer survivor, also spoke to the team during the presentation. Rives said the lump in her breast grew to 2 inches in diameter before she took action.
She urged players to promote regular mammograms as a means of early detection.
“Also exercise and stay hydrated,” she said. “Drink half your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 100 pounds, drink 50 ounces of water each day.”
Rives also sang a song about planting tulips for the team.
While women are primarily susceptible to breast cancer, Osborne said men are also at risk.
“Men also get breast cancer,” she said. “They need to have checkups too. Men have died from breast cancer.”
USU hosts one of seven tulip memorials in the state Osborne said. Most recently, the center added memorials in downtown Logan and at the Logan River Golf Course.
The center hopes to dedicate two more next year, board member Nancy Stiles said.
“The one thing I learned while I had cancer,” Rives said, “is that there are so many people who have lots of love in their hearts.”
-acf@cc.usu.edu