Horns for Hope continues with Texas Volleyball on Oct. 21
Oct. 14, 2009 The University of Texas is a place that inspires big -- big dreams and big goals. In that tradition, UT Athletics is proud to be part of Horns for Hope, a campaign to raise breast cancer awareness throughout the campus and community, and, most importantly, in people's hearts. Breast cancer is a disease that touches everyone. One out of eight women has been diagnosed or will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime -- that means one out of eight mothers, daughters, sisters or wives. To combat an enemy that spares no one, we all have to be allies, even in the sporting arena. That's why the Texas Volleyball, Women's Basketball and Football teams are part of the Horns for Hope initiative -- so that through their efforts on the court, a greater message is told. The Longhorns want to educate the largest crowds possible, and have designated special parts of their schedule to accomplish that. Volleyball hosts its second-annual "Volley for the Cure" at Gregory Gym on Oct. 21 when the Longhorns host Big 12 rival Missouri. "We know that at The University of Texas we have a greater responsibility to our community than to just perform well in our sports of play. It's also our duty to educate, particularly when it comes to a disease that can literally affect everyone," UT Women's Athletics Director Chris Plonsky says. Volleyball fans are encouraged to join the student-athletes and coaches by wearing pink on a night when, inevitably, competition evolves into inspiration. Horns for Hope games become a place for survivors to come, get and give support and perhaps -- even if only for a moment -- take their mind off the disease. Horns for Hope is about stirring the spirit, and telling the stories of survival. "It's about awareness, and that's what pink does," says Gay Dodson, a Texas Volleyball season ticket holder and 10-year breast cancer survivor. "When you're diagnosed with breast cancer, we all have our different experiences. But when you get in a group, and see the pink ribbons and pink everywhere, it's a reminder that none of us are alone."
Women's Basketball continues the campaign on Jan. 31 at the Erwin Center against Baylor during its annual WBCA Pink Zone game. The Pink Zone initiative is the WBCA's united national effort to raise breast cancer awareness, and more than 900 teams across all divisions take part. UT Athletics is planning survivor rally lines at both the volleyball and women's basketball games, and this year Renee Nicholas plans to be part of it. Nicholas was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2008, but overcame the disease through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. She is now the director of corporate relations for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, an organization known for equating yellow with cancer awareness. But Nicholas is happy to champion pink along with yellow. "It's really not about pink or yellow -- cancer transcends all colors," Nicholas says. "It's really about awareness, support and compassion." **** If you would like to participate in the survivor rally line at Volley for the Cure, please e-mail your name, daytime phone number and years as a survivor to Charles Branch at Charles.Branch@athletics.utexas.edu. |
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