Oct. 9, 2009

Rome, Ga. - Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death of females. It is a disease that has most likely affected or will affect our lives in one way or another – either through a personal experience or through a family member or friend.

The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is approximately 1-in-8. Currently, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

Shorter softball would like to take this opportunity to remind you just how unfortunate this disease is and of the importance of early detection. Several members of our Shorter College family and the Rome community have shared their experience and encounters with this disease. We would like to thank them for their heart-felt words and for even more motivation behind our fundraising drive.

Like many other women’s sports teams, Shorter softball feels very strongly towards women’s health and female-specific issues that may affect any one of us at any time. Many sports teams have gotten involved in fundraising for certain causes by hosting events in honor of those who have suffered from such a disease.

Holding the Breast Cancer Awareness & Fundraising Drive is one of the many ways that Shorter softball is able to contribute to our surrounding community.

In the fall of 2007, Shorter softball raised and donated $5,000 to the opening of Cancer Navigators – a local facility centered on the research, recovery, and support of breast cancer.

In the fall of 2008, Shorter softball raised and donated another $5,000 to The Breast Center at Floyd Medical Center. This state-of-the-art facility provides the detection, medical attention, support, and recovery process needed to conquer this disease.

A huge “thank you” goes out to all of those who have contributed to the drives. This fall, all proceeds will again be donated to The Breast Center.

October is known as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” Shorter softball will sponsor a few activities throughout the month, so please show your support of the females in your lives, the Rome community, and to Shorter softball by participating in any or all of these activities:

• “Border Battle for Breast Cancer” – In the fall of 2007, the Lady Hawks hosted the First Annual Border Battle for Breast Cancer Tournament with eight teams participating in the tournament and fundraising. Shorter, as well as other teams, got into the “pink spirit” by playing in pink t-shirts. All players, coaches, and umpires were given pink wristbands, donated by Mizuno, and played in them throughout the day. This year, the Third Annual Border Battle was held on Oct. 3 and the event alone raised almost $2,000. All proceeds from team donations, parent and fan contributions, gate receipts and contests are donated.

• T-Shirt Sale – Last year, members of the Shorter softball team sold over 300 pink t-shirts, improving upon the over 250 shirts sold in 2007. The shirts not only help raise money, but also help raise awareness through their wearing within the community. T-Shirts are available throughout the month of October for only $10. For every shirt that is sold, $5 is donated to help the cause. Please see any Lady Hawk softball team member for purchase details or e-mail head softball coach Melanie Carter at mcarter@shorter.edu. The shirts will also be available for purchase at The Breast Center.
  
  
• Football Game Collection – Members of the Shorter softball team will take donations at the gate, concession stands, and throughout the crowd at one home, Shorter Hawks Football game. This collection will take place on Oct. 31 during “Championship Saturday,” which features Shorter taking on Cumberland (Tenn.) University at 1:30 p.m. at Barron Stadium. All Shorter athletic teams who won their respective conference championships will be recognized on this special day. Also, members of the 2009 Shorter softball SSAC Championship team will receive their championship rings at halftime of the game.