By Marty Gordon
One in eight women in the United States (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. According to the latest figures from the American Cancer Society, in 2019, an estimated 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women, along with 62,930 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
Also, 2,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2019.
What a better way to draw more attention to these staggering figures then go to a sport that encompasses young women under the age of 18.
Dig Pink is a nationwide movement to provide meaningful and impactful experiences for athletes while inspiring and empowering them to come together in support of the breast cancer community. Each year, hundreds of teams across the country (and some overseas) participate in Dig Pink throughout high school volleyball.
Over $14 million has been donated through Dig Pink in the past 10 years.
Auburn High School was recently honored for their extra effort for Dig Pink, a program that raises awareness of breast cancer.
The Side-Out Foundation, which is based out of Northern Virginia, was established in 2008 by a volleyball coach who lost his mother to breast cancer. Monies go toward research of Stage 4, metastic breast cancer.
Through programs like Dig Pink, the foundation is harnessing the power and influence of the sport of volleyball.
Auburn’s volleyball team came onboard in 2009. Since then, the school and team has been able to raise $65,420.
Athletic director Paul Dominy is proud of what Auburn has been able to accomplish.
“Dig Pink has given us a great opportunity to help in solving and eradicating this awful disease. We have been very glad to play a small part in this process. As many, including women in our own community, battle this cancer we stand with them in doing all we can to have a positive impact,” he said.
The school received a banner of appreciation to hang in the gymnasium along with other championship ones.
Golf course research comes to our area.
To better help golf course superintendents manage annual bluegrass weevil, Syngenta has updated its ABW monitoring system, WeevilTrak with new courses, researchers and control recommendations.
“ABW activity is spreading to new locations, so we want to ensure WeevilTrak is evolving to meet the needs of superintendents through more monitoring sites and improved control products,” said Stephanie Schwenke, turf market manager for Syngenta.
The company has added new courses in Virginia that will serve as ABW research stations, including: Ballyhack Golf Club in Roanoke and Blacksburg Country Club.
Things are starting to heat up at Motor Mile Speedway.
2019 Limited Sportsman Rookie of the Year contenders Josh Gobble and Chase Dixon tested at Motor Mile Speedway on Monday. The two new entries are part of a three-car Limited Sportsman stable helmed by Motor Mile Speedway track champion Kirby Gobble.
Josh Gobble last competed at Motor Mile Speedway in 2016, earning MOD-4 co-Rookie of the Year honors on the strength of a third-place finish in the standings.
Chase Dixon and the Chase Dixon Racing no. 07 team will also be making their Motor Mile Speedway debut in 2019. The Abingdon newcomer enjoyed a successful 2018 campaign at Kingsport Speedway in the Modified Street division, notching three wins and 10 top-fives in 15 starts.