February 25, 2013

2013 Pink Zone…Wow!

Yesterday I had the extraordinary experience of my first Penn State Pink Zone game!

 

This game is so revered by our seniors that when given the opportunity to have their senior day at a different game, they refused. They wanted to share their last game at the BJC with the survivors and the community that supports them so passionately.

What a special day for both our seniors and the 621 survivors honored at halftime. The most touching moment for me was watching all the survivors parade onto the court at halftime, holding signs with the number of years of their survivorship.

A sisterhood of women bonded by the challenges of fighting the same disease, they represented strength and the determination to overcome. With family and friends cheering from the stands, it was clear that they had not journeyed back to health alone.

Watching the day unfold meant something special to me personally, as a friend of Coach Kay Yow. The late coach of the NC State Wolfpack, Coach Yow battled cancer for 22 years. Eight years ago she started Hoops 4 Hope, a game at NC State that served to raise money and awareness for cancer research.

Her initial vision led to Pink Zone and Play4Kay games across the country, raising millions of dollars to help find a cure. I'm so inspired by how the vision of one willing and determined woman could lead to such widespread philanthropy.

Thank you to Pink Zone Executive Director, Miriam Powell, and all who worked so tirelessly to make the 2013 Lady Lion Pink Zone game such a success! Many were blessed and encouraged by your efforts.