The girls volley ball team at Fresno's Hoover High is all business preparing for its next game with Madera South. It's equally committed to the 3rd "Hoover Digs Pink" fundraising effort. Christina Montanez proposed the idea in 2009. "Two of my teammate's grandmother's had it. My mother had it and one of the JV's moms had it and so I just asked the coach if we could have a breast cancer awareness game."
That first game was pretty low key inviting survivors of breast cancer and offering each a rose.
Hoover Varsity Volleyball Coach, Christina Nelson adds, "The girls made all their shirts, they did them themselves. And then last year we asked for an official game and invited Sanger to do it with us.
This year the team's been busy selling custom bracelets and t-shirts. Once again survivors will be honored guests and a silent auction at the game will add to their donation to the 'Komen Central Valley Race for the Cure'.
"Majority of most school's are involved in having a breast cancer game," said Nelson. "Where they play with a pink ball, the kids all wear pink, pink ribbons, we have pink floor tape. Everything we possibly can to show our support."
A show of hands revealed how many of these young women have been personally touched by breast cancer.
The good news is the incidence of breast cancer has been declining since 1994. These athletes have chosen to be part of that continuing progress.
Fans can expect a competitive game this Thursday night as well as the opportunity to donate to the fight against breast cancer.
