By Greg Minor
Student Reporter
October may seem to only about kids dressing up as ghosts, ghouls and goblins before scouring the town knocking on doors trick or treating, but it’s also the month to take notice of the pink ribbon.
This month celebrates National Breast Cancer Awareness. Every year during this month major breast cancer charities branch out to raise money for research. Their cause is to help spread awareness of the causes of breast cancer as well as prevention, diagnosis, treatments and cures.
October can be a month to give support to those who are survivors and to honor those who were lost. According to breastcancer.org about one in eight U.S. women develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their life.“I have an aunt that just found out a few months ago that she has breast cancer,” Brooklyn Hesson, a senior business major on the Volleyball team said, “I think it’s amazing to show our support to people battling with cancer. I think it helps them know that whatever they are dealing with, they aren’t alone and have the support from the community.”
Northwestern sports teams participate in spreading the awareness on the court and on the field in many different ways. During the basketball season the Men’s basketball team in the past lased their shoes with pink shoe laces and some players would wear breast cancer themed socks. Hunter Frisby, a senior Health and Sports Science major on the basketball team had family members of his own diagnosed with cancer. “I feel strongly about supporting those who have or had breast cancer or even cancer in general,” Frisby said. “Being able to show that they haven’t gone unnoticed and that we support their fight and they will always be in our prayers.” The women’s basketball team wears special pink jerseys and T-shirts to show their support towards awareness. Deja Beechum, senior History major and basketball player, said, “Our coaches wear sneakers instead of their dressy shoes for the cancer awareness game.”
Beechum has suggestions to help the team spread more attentiveness. “I would think adding a breast cancer ribbon patch to our jerseys to show that constant support,” Beecham said. In some cases it may not be a family member of your own that is diagnosed, but a close teammate’s mom. Clarissa Hinojo, senior nursing major and soccer player had a teammate in club soccer whose mom was diagnosed. Supporting the cause has been important to her ever since then. “It’s important for us to stand tall and unite together,” Hinojo said. “During the month of October we wear pink socks on game days and we tie pink ribbon’s to our bags. I feel strong, powerful and fortunate to be a woman and to be able to represent breast cancer as a female on my uniform while playing is special.”
Ranger athletic teams show their support for those who need it the most. Breast cancer is a fight that many battle in their lifetime. What we do to make an impact on those in need is important, whether its wearing pink on the court or on the field can make all the difference in person’s life.
“It is a great feeling because sometimes we get so caught up in the little things in life and this really brings us back to reality,” Hesson said. “It feels great knowing you aren’t just playing to win or for yourself, but playing for a bigger cause and to support those who need it.”