Lenape High School volleyball team hosting ‘Dig Pink Rally’ for breast cancer research Oct. 14

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On Wednesday, Oct.14, the Lenape High School volleyball team is hosting its second Dig Pink Rally to raise money for breast cancer research at 4 p.m. in the south gymnasium.[/caption]

In volleyball, “side-out” means “to regain control of the ball.” One Lenape High School senior and volleyball player, along with the LHS volleyball team, is using her passion for volleyball along with her drive to help cancer research by hosting a fundraiser to help breast cancer patients “regain control of their lives” through the Side-Out Foundation.

Senior Brooke Porter and the LHS volleyball team is hosting the 2nd Dig Pink Rally to raise money for breast cancer research. The Dig Pink Rally will host two volleyball games, varsity and junior varsity, against Seneca High School in the Lenape south gym on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.

“Basically, people should expect a really big decked-out event and a really good game. The game is going to be dedicated to those who are suffering from and have survived breast cancer, and those who have passed away from it,” Porter said.

The Side-Out Foundation, founder of Dig Pink, is an organization that teams with the volleyball community to “inspire science and hope in the match against breast cancer.” The Side-Out Foundation organizes these events and fundraising campaigns to raise money toward clinical trials, specifically for patients with stage 4 breast cancer, the most advanced form of the disease and the least funded area of research.

The LHS volleyball team held its first Dig Pink Rally in 2013 when then-senior Emily Sheehan was an ambassador for the Side Out Foundation as well as organizer of the event. For her efforts, Sheehan earned the Community Service Award for the Side-Out Foundation by getting the entire community involved, and she also won the National Side-Out Foundation Award, earning a banner for LHS.

Porter, inspired by Sheehan during her sophomore year, decided to become a Side-Out ambassador and bring the Dig Pink Rally back to LHS this year, after last year fell through, and make it a tradition for years to come.

“Since I am so passionate about volleyball, I think this is a perfect way to get volleyball and something that goes toward breast cancer research together. I think that is really a great way to raise awareness and get donations for a good cause. And plus, having done it before, I thought it would be cool for me to take it over and make it bigger,” Porter said.

For this year, Porter is going bigger by getting more people involved, including the student body, administrators, athletic leaders and the community.

So far, the volleyball team members are going around collecting donations throughout the school, the special education program is making flyers for the Dig Pink Rally through its computer applications class and local parents will be selling baked goods at the rally to raise money.

Outside of school, Porter is asking the community to come to the Dig Pink Rally and support the team. Or, if they can’t attend, they can donate money through their online link at www.side-out.org/cb/campaigns/campaign/10510.

Porter’s goal for the Dig Pink Rally is to raise at least $1,500. With almost 2,000 students at LHS, Porter said it could be easily accomplished.

For the game, expect a gym full of pink, a great game and an atmosphere of support, all to help the fight against breast cancer. Porter said people should come out for a good game, but also to support those with all forms of cancer. Porter’s grandmother is a breast cancer survivor and her grandfather passed away from esophageal cancer.

“A lot of people know someone who has suffered from breast cancer, or cancer in general; it is a personal thing. So people should want to come out and support us, and help us raise money to do clinical trials for people with stage 4 breast cancer because it is an awful disease,” Porter said.

The Dig Pink Rally will start at 4 p.m. in the LHS south gym, 235 Hartford Road in Medford, with the varsity volleyball game first, followed by the JV game around 5 p.m.

“I want everyone to basically feel a sense of community. Like we’re all coming together; we’re all doing something for a good cause, and I want people to feel good about themselves helping others,” Porter said.

“And I also hope to beat Seneca that day,” she finished with a laugh.