Since 1985, October has been dedicated to bringing awareness throughout the 31 days to the two million women diagnosed with the deadly disease of breast cancer every year. Within recent years, especially in sports, bringing awareness by wearing pink during the month of October has been increasing. Walpole High School sports teams have been showing their support in many ways throughout this month.
The WHS girls volleyball team hosted their annual “Dig-Pink” game on Oct. 8 which was dedicated to bringing awareness to the community about breast cancer. The event included a guest speaker, Colleen Sullivan, who is a breast cancer survivor. The event was a fundraiser for breast cancer and ultimately raised over $800 for the Jimmy Fund and Sullivan Stronger which are foundations that Sullivan works closely with. She started the charity by walking in events like the Boston Marathon to raise money for others fighting the battle of Breast cancer. The foundation works alongside Dana Farber Cancer Institute to further research and care for patients.
WHS girls and boys volleyball coach Zachary Okolowitcz has been a coach for several of these dedication games. He looks forward to these games every year, and believes it is beneficial to the volleyball program. Along with Sullivan, Okolowitcz speaks at the event expressing his respect for her, and all other patients and survivors of breast cancer.
“Knowing that athletes are standing and helping for other things greater than just themselves I think is important to the community,“The girls like playing knowing it’s a day to support breast cancer, so I think the energy around it is positive” Okolowitcz said.
Additionally, other sports at WHS are participating in wearing pink to show awareness to the community. The cheer team participates by wearing pink bows and using pink pom poms and girls soccer takes part by wearing pink socks and hair ribbons. The field hockey team also supports by wearing pink socks during home games for the month of October.
Not only do the athletes show their support during October, but the fans also take part in bringing awareness. At WHS football games the entire student section dresses in pink showing unified support for those with breast cancer. At the volleyball games, pink T-Shirts with the phrase “Together We Fight” are sold, and Walpole cheer and football teams sell shirts online and at games with “In October We Wear Pink” written across the front allowing people of all ages to express their support to the cause.
“It is nice to throw something important into the game other than just the sport. I think it is good to support things that definitely affect a lot of people around and I know parents and family members and friends that people know have gone through the battle, maybe even won or lost it, so awareness is always a good thing for the community,”Okolowitcz said.
To help support breast cancer awareness check out the Sullivan Stronger and Jimmy fund website to help reach their goal of raising $3,000. Also, purchase pink shirts at Walpole sports events and wear pink to show support throughout October!
