"Power of Pink Week" a Great Success

Oct. 20: As the month of October marks breast cancer awareness month, the St. Lawrence University athletic department set aside an entire week to show its support. Students, faculty, staff and supporters dressed in pink and filled the stands at featured athletic events, while many student-athletes wore pink equipment in an effort to raise awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer.

The women's hockey team, which wore pink laces and warm-up t-shirts in the spirit of the event, kicked off the week with a 6-3 victory over rival Clarkson on Oct. 1. The field hockey team, which had specially made pink jerseys, picked up a 2-1 win against Nazareth, while the women's tennis team swept Plattsburgh State, 9-0, on Oct. 2. The volleyball team, also wearing pink jerseys, rallied past Potsdam State in a thrilling 3-2 victory on Oct. 4. Also at that match, Coordinator of News Services Macreena Doyle was recognized as a survivor of breast cancer, while the Bears showed their support with pink warm-up t-shirts. The men's hockey team battled Ferris State on Friday Oct. 7, while the cross country and women's soccer teams rounded out the week with events on Saturday Oct. 8.

The "Power of Pink Week", held in part with an Innovation Grant awarded in the spring of 2011, was a larger spin-off of "Dig Pink", an event held by the volleyball team last fall. This year, those involved almost doubled the amount of funds raised by last year's event. Over 1,100 t-shirts and other pink items were sold, totaling at least $7,000 of profit to be donated to the Gouverneur Business Women, an organization that helps families in the North Country fighting the battle against breast cancer.

"It is amazing to be part of a campus community that supports this effort the way it does," said head volleyball coach and event coordinator Shelly Roiger. "What started out as a small idea about 14 months ago has grown into a wonderful and powerful event. In just two years we have been able to raise over $13,000 for this worthy cause. While our donations cannot single-handedly find the cure, the fact that we are doing a small part to help support those that are fighting the fight of their lives is comforting."

The event not only raised funds for the fight against breast cancer, but it also generated awareness and conversation amongst the students, faculty, and greater community. St. Lawrence welcomed back Andrea Nouryeh, a professor emerita of performance and communication arts, to speak about her experience with the disease. A breast cancer survivor, she presented "The Big C Battle: Heeding the Call, Waging the Campaign, and Surviving Collateral Damage" as part of a panel discussion held on Oct. 5.

"There have been so many stories of strength, hope, pain, and success that have been brought to my attention during this time," added Roiger, "and the realization of how much this disease affects members of St. Lawrence University - whether it's students, faculty, staff, or alumni - is incredible. It is my hope that those members of our community, past and present, will recognize that we are here to support them and their family members and friends in their fight."

The St. Lawrence athletic department would like to thank those who volunteered to make this event truly special and to those who dedicated their support to the cause. Go Saints!