March 26, 2008

Rome, Ga. - The Shorter College Lady Hawks softball team isn't only good at winning conference championships, but they know how to support a good cause as well.

Last fall, as the team was preparing for the upcoming season, the Lady Hawks set some time apart for the Breast Cancer Awareness tournament, which helped raise $5,000 for the Cancer Navigators - a non-profit organization that helps cancer patients navigate through the health care system during treatment and afterwards.

"You see a lot of colleges doing tournaments for so many different causes and we wanted to be a part of that and make an impact," said head softball coach Melanie Carter.

The tournament, which hosted eight different teams from the surrounding areas, was only part of the money-raising efforts. Before the tournament at the Oct. 6 Shorter football game, members from the softball team went through the stands asking for donations and raising awareness for the cause, and, for several weeks before, sold over 200 pink Shorter softball shirts.

"I couldn't be prouder of our girls and all of the effort they put into the event," said Carter. "It was hard work, but they went into the community and raised awareness for something they felt strongly about."

Each team in the Oct. 13 tournament contributed extra money for the cause (in addition to their entry fee) and, instead of admission costs, attendees were asked to make a contribution to the charity. Raffle tickets were also sold for a chance to win a new MP3 player. Worth Sports donated a new softball bat to each participating team, and each coach, player and umpire wore pink wristbands every game that were donated by Mizuno.

A special check presentation was made at the "Celebrate Pink!" event held at Rome's Forum on Oct. 18, with over 300 attendees, including cancer survivors and their supporters. A special address was given from Barbara Dooley, wife of long-time University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley, and Ann Hook, an oncology nurse at Harbin Clinic, gave the keynote address.

Cheryl Ranwez, Administrative Director for Cancer Navigators, was "pleasantly surprised" at the donation. "I had met the team earlier in the year, and we discussed the work we do for the patients and survivors in our area," she said. "I didn't really know what to expect, but we were so pleased with the results." The money raised will help go towards a resource center for patients, family and the community.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in October each year, is comprised of several national public service organizations, professional medical associations and government agencies working in partnership to build breast cancer awareness, share information and provide access to screening services.