DIG PINK FOR THE SIDE-OUT FOUNDATION
WHEATON/PLAINFIELD/NAPERVILLE–October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Everywhere you look, pink prevails. You will see sports teams wearing pink socks or jerseys, girls and women putting pink extensions in their hair, and many pink t-shirts in support of the cause. To help with awareness, many of our local high school girls volleyball teams participate in a special tournament in October called Dig Pink to benefit the Side-Out Foundation. This foundation wanted to do more than just raise awareness and fundraise, so they hired scientists and formed research teams to own, manage and operate science that actively searches for answers and treatment options for those living with metastatic breast cancer. “We don’t just fund research, we do research,” says Rick Dunetz, Founder and Executive director of Side-Out. “We have helped nearly 1000 people with our research findings, and we share our data at every major breast cancer convention every year.”
It is a simple concept. A team commits to making one of their matches a Dig Pink match. They pink out the gym, sell t-shirts, raise funds and spread the message of Side-Out. Bill Schreier, Wheaton Warrenville South’s Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach, has hosted a Dig Pink tournament several times for Side-Out. “The last few years we have paired with Plainfield North High School,” says Bill. “In total we have raised close to $25,000 in our past matches. Now, post-pandemic, we are ready to go at it again.” This year’s event will be played at Wheaton Warrenville South on Thursday, October 6. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Besides 5 levels of competitive volleyball games, there will be raffle baskets, silent auction items, a guest speaker and a bake sale. Naperville’s Neuqua Valley High School and Metea Valley High School work hard every year to honor Breast Cancer Awareness with their Dig Pink tournament. This year the celebration will be hosted at Metea Valley on Thursday, October 13th.
“We have had Dig Pink events in all 50 states and in over 5,000 schools,” says Rick. “We would love to unite many more volleyball teams with Side-Out in October and work to make a significant and identifiable impact for those living with metastatic breast cancer.”
View online more information on the Side-Out Foundation.
