Breathitt Volleycats 'Think Pink' for Breast Cancer Awareness
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 14, 2010) — The Breathitt High School girls volleyball team, the Volleycats, held its second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Match on Sept. 27.
The festivities began even before BHS Volleycats and the Buckhorn Wildcats hit the floor. Each team, the BHS Beta Club and BHS students sold pink ribbons to raise money to donate to the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society. The total amount raised this year from all match-related activities was double that of last year, with each organization receiving a check for $432.17.
The Kentucky River Medical Center purchased pink T-shirts for each participant to wear during warm-ups, and they provided the public with free cholesterol checks, blood pressure and educational materials. The Relay for Life organization explained how money raised for breast cancer would be used and provided a guest speaker. The Markey Cancer Center provided valuable information on breast cancer detection and treatment and also donated door prizes for the event.
Referees wore pink T-shirts, used pink whistles and allowed the team to play with a pink ball. Water bottles were provided for each participant. Before the match, a breast cancer survivor enlightened the audience about her personal trials during her struggle with the disease. Coach Donna Combs, Rena Hamblin and Teresa Little assisted with the organization of all details throughout the week as well as with the night’s festivities. Principal Derek McKnight was a great supporter throughout this event and encouraged the student body to support this worthwhile cause and provided the opportunity for a class to win a pizza party through the creativity of decorating their fourth period classroom door.
Breathitt co-coaches Donna Combs and Larry Noble came up with the plan last year when they learned that Pam Cole, coach for the rival Buckhorn Wildcats, was battling the disease. The match's organizer, Coach Donna Combs, and the BHS Volleycats decided to continue with this annual event after they were informed about the status of Buckhorn’s coach, Pam Cole, who would go through treatments for the second time.
Supporters of the BHS Breast Cancer Awareness Match include: Kentucky River Medical Hospital; Dustin Noble, KRMC; Derek McKnight, BHS Principal; Superintendent Arch Turner; Breathitt County School Board Members; Jiffy Mart; Pacific Building; Feed Store-South Jackson; Anna's Flowers; Kay Hale, Avon Representative; Tonya Watts, Advocate; Coach Pam Cole and The Buckhorn High School; Sherry Payne, American Cancer Society; Karen Griffith, Ky-ASAP; Ashley Wilder; Michael Mitchell; Patty and Dillard Wilder; Caitlyn Shelton; Morgan Mullins, Color Guard; Elizabeth Weathers, Color Guard; Chief Gilliam; Brenda Brewer, KRMC; Beth Allen, KRMC; Rena Hamblin, BHS Library; Teresa Little, BHS Library; BHS students and staff; Wild-4-Purses; BHS Beta Club; Harold Deaton, Times-Voice; Ann Carter, guest speaker; Kena Mullins, Lauren Bates-Hazard College; Emily Tackett; Jason Moore; SMS staff and faculty; Brian McIntosh, Color Guard; Henrietta Sheffel, BHS YSC; Coach Donna Combs and the BHS Volleycats.