This week is a very important one in the world of sports on a local level with the presentation of PINK Night at SVHS. This is the tenth year the school and the volleyball program have focused on raising funds and awareness for breast cancer patients.

Like so many in our area, I have a very personal connection with cancer and I hate it. In May of 1996 it killed my mother at the young age of 55. She didn’t get to see my wife, my kids and I never got to know her as an adult. I miss her every day and unfortunately her cancer story is one of regret because hers was not caught early. Like so many of us, we all ignored a persistent cough until the cancer was in full control. She fought valiantly. The toughest person I’ve ever known. That’s why I HATE the phrase “lost the battle” with cancer. It’s not the same for everyone. You only get to fight. That’s the only thing you get. Some get to live, others don’t.

But as a person who has been directly affected by it, I often try and put in my two cents as it pertains to our natural human tendancy to push through, not ask for help or go see a doctor. I recently had one of these experiences myself where I went to the emergency room because I had symptoms of what could have been something terrible. Things turned out fine, but now I know and I appreciate that knowledge.

I encourage you to come to PINK Night even if all you do is cheer and clap. If you can donate, that is amazing. If you bid and take something home, you are directly helping another human being. I hope even those who are annoyed by the pink will allow themselves to soften their stance and see that the disease doesn’t care if you are tough or naive. It doesn’t care if you really have worked hard for retirement or have a house full of kids. Go get checked out. Your family may be incredibly grateful that you did.