Dig Pink/Volley for Cure Matches Approved for Oct.

News from the Virginia High School League: The American Cancer Society (ACS) annually designates October as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among U.S. women, and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. According to the ACS, an estimated 180,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and an estimated 40,000 American women will die from breast cancer this year. A woman’s chance of having breast cancer is 1 in 8. Her chance of dying from breast cancer is 1 in 35. But, there is hope! According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, there are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in America today, and the 5-year survival rate after early stage diagnosis and treatment is nearly 98% (compared to 74% in 1982). Early detection and treatment are the keys.

A number of schools have indicated interest in playing a “Dig for the Cure,” or “Volley for the Cure” match to help raise awareness of and fight against breast cancer in their communities. In order to maximize the impact of such games across the Commonwealth, VHSL has designated Oct. 1 – Oct. 16 as the time period during which schools that so desire are encouraged to play these matches. Later this week, there will be a “toolkit” in the Volleyball section of our website to provide ideas and resources to help create an effective event. We will also note permissible uniform variations for these games.

In related news:

VHSL fall sports teams encouraged to “Play for a Cure”

Nearly all of us know someone – a family member, a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker – whose life has been changed by a diagnosis of breast cancer. October is “Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” and we are encouraging all schools and all fall teams to take part in an event to raise breast cancer awareness in their communities. To maximize the impact of these events across the Commonwealth, VHSL has designated Oct. 1 – Oct. 16 as the time period during which schools are encouraged to “Play for a Cure.” Pink shoelaces, pink wristbands/headbands, pink “Play for a Cure” t-shirts – these are just a few of the ways to make people think about this important topic. By the end of the week, we hope to have a “toolkit” online to assist schools in planning a “Play for a Cure” event.

Attention Loudoun teams: Contact VivaLoudoun if you will be Playing for the Cure in Oct. and we will come out and cover your event!