Opinion

Volleyball team hosts breast cancer benefit

By Ashley Goettl

October 14, 2010

The UW-River Falls volleyball team will be hosting “Dig for the Cure” on Wednesday, Oct 20. The game starts at 7 p.m. when the Falcons take on UW-Eau Claire. This is the third annual event hosted by the Falcon volleyball team. The cause supports and raises money for breast cancer awareness. According to the UWRF athletics’ website, “Events at this year’s River Falls-Eau Claire match include a silent auction, a guess the digs contest and a pink lemonade stand. Proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation which is dedicated to education and research about causes, treatment and finding a cure for breast cancer.”

Other WIAC schools are also participating in this event and according to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s website, “Over the past two seasons, Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams have raised $33,751 in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.”

Last year Dig for the Cure events raised $4,147 according to Falcon’s athletic website.

Students attending the event are encouraged to wear pink to support of breast cancer’s symbolized awareness. October is breast cancer awareness month.

According to the Susan Komen foundation for breast cancer research, “About 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer will occur among women in the United States during 2010. And an estimated 39,840 women will die from breast cancer this year. Also, about 1,970 men will be diagnosed and 390 men will die of breast cancer during 2010 in the United States. In 1975 the incidence of breast cancer was 107 per 100,000 for white women and 94 per 100,000 for black women. Thirty years later in 2005, the number of new cases per year had risen to 126 per 100,000 for white women and 114 per 100,000 for black women.”

One of the main goals for breast cancer awareness and research has been targeted for women to have early detection to be diagnosed at an early stage. According to the WebMd website, “Early breast cancer usually doesn’t cause symptoms. But as the tumor grows, it can change how the breast looks or feels. The common changes include: A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area, a change in the size or shape of the breast, dimpling or puckering in the skin of the breast, a nipple turned inward into the breast, discharge (fluid) from the nipple, especially if it’s bloody, scaly, red or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or areola (the dark area of skin at the center of the breast). The skin may have ridges or pitting so that it looks like the skin of an orange.”

They also recommend that you should see your health care provider about any symptom that does not go away.

This October help the Falcons and the Susan G. Komen foundation find the cure for the cancer that has affected so many men and women in our lives.

Ashley Goettl is an alumna of UW-River Falls. She was editor of the Student Voice from fall semester 2011 to spring semester 2013.