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Posted: 10/14/10

TAMIU Volleyball Dig Pink Match

 

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Several years ago, Elizabeth N. Martínez, Texas A&M International University associate vice-president for administration, participated in a three-day breast cancer walk where she walked 50 miles from San José, Calif., to San Francisco.

“As we walked through the neighborhoods, the number of women who stood at their doors to cheer us on who were either breast cancer survivors or undergoing treatment at the time was so significant. It really opened my eyes to the number that are affected by this disease and the importance of finding a cure,” Martínez said.

The numbers are just as significant here in Laredo, Texas.

Among Hispanic women, breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer death, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

You can help find a cure for a disease that could affect your friend, neighbor, co-worker, mother, sister, aunt, or someone you admire when the TAMIU Dustdevils hosts Oklahoma Panhandle State in a Dig Pink match Thursday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. in the TAMIU Kinesiology-Convocation Building.

Dig Pink is sponsored by the Side-Out Foundation, an organization established to unite volleyball players and coaches and to have them work toward the common goal of furthering breast cancer awareness, education and patient services.

This is the third consecutive year coach Wendy McManus and her team sponsor a breast cancer benefit.

Martínez is the game’s honorary coach.

“I think the Dig Pink event is a wonderful national event and I am so proud that our TAMIU volleyball team participates and raises funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer,” said Martínez.

“I hope by participating those struggling with this disease will realize it is something that you can get through—that they will get through it just as I did,” she added.

Martínez was diagnosed with breast cancer is 2005 and spent much of 2006 undergoing treatment. She also has friends and family who battled breast cancer.

“Someone very dear to me was just diagnosed two weeks ago,” Martínez revealed.

Early detection is important.

“During events such as Dig Pink, there will be people that will now have that mammogram they have been putting off or will have that annual exam they have been putting off. Perhaps they will insist a loved one do the same. As someone who has been affected, I can say that this is something you can overcome,” Martínez said.

She advises that those who have been affected stay informed and focused on the positive.

“Wonderful advances have been made through research supported by events such as Dig Pink,” she said.

Donations will be accepted during the game and are currently being accepted online through GoDustdevils.com.

For more information, contact Coach McManus at 326.2894.


 

 

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu