SUNYIT raises funds for breast cancer research with dig pink program.

The SUNYIT Women's Volleyball Team will host their 3^rd Annual "Dig Pink" event this coming Tuesday, October 18^th during their 7:00 pm match against Oswego State. The contest will be held at the Campus Center on the SUNYIT campus.

Last year the team raised around $3,000 - this year they've set their fundraising goal substantially higher.

"The first year we did it was the year after I graduated and became the assistant coach to [former coach] Becky Fletcher," said Hillary Pundt, assistant Wildcat coach, "She had seen or heard about the event right around the time when she found out one of her old college teammates was diagnosed with breast cancer. Hearing the story was what motivated the girls to get involved, and every year since it is something they look forward to doing."

"It's a fun way to raise money and awareness for a great cause and get the community involved."

The event will be in conjunction with the Side-Out Foundation's "Dig Pink" campaign, a breast cancer awareness rally being held all of October to raise awareness and funds.  The girls will wear pink uniforms during the match and will then auction them off at the conclusion of the contest, with the bidding beginning at $20. Bids can be made in the form of cash, check or credit card, with credit being an option through the team's donation page on Side-Out's Web site:

http://www.side-out.org/application/ous/fundraising_page/46151

Donations can be made at anytime through this site and can also be made in person at the event, which is free to attend. A bake sale will also be held at the second-floor lobby area of the Campus Center, as will a Chinese Raffle in which multiple door prizes can be won.  Raffle tickets for the auction will be sold at the door, and those who wear pink clothing to the match will be given a free ticket.  Tickets will be sold for $1 each, $5 for an arm's length, and $10 for a body length. 

Additionally, remembrance balloons can also be purchased at the door for $1.  Three different types will be sold: light pink in remembrance of someone who currently has breast cancer; dark pink in remembrance of someone who survived breast cancer; and white in remembrance of someone who has lost their battle with breast cancer.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Side-Out Foundation, a national 501(c)(3) located in Washington, D.C.  Side-Out was established in 2004 to raise money and awareness about cancer through the recreational activity of volleyball.  Its name underscores the purpose of the organization - "Side-Out" in volleyball occurs when one team wins a point while its opponent is serving, thereby regaining serve or control of play. Likewise in the war against breast cancer, the Side-Out Foundation will support health care professionals in their pursuit of practical solutions for women and men with this dreaded disease, thus enabling those affected to regain control of their lives and live them to the fullest.