Gators Link to Pink Gymnastics Meet vs UK on Jan. 30 Dedicated to Raising Breast Cancer Awareness
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 | Gymnastics
Come support the preseason No. 3 University of Florida gymnastics team as they face Kentucky Jan. 30 in a meet that aims to help raise awareness about breast cancer. The Third Annual Gators Link to Pink meet is set for 7 p.m. in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. All fans are encouraged to wear pink to the meet to show their support in the fight against breast cancer. Those that are among the first 1,000 through the door will receive a bright pink t-shirt, compliments of SUN Sports. Fans can also visit Blockbuster Video locations in Gainesville and Ocala to receive free admission passes to the meet.
| Create the 2010 Gators Link to Pink T-Shirt Design |
| You've seen the Gators Link to Pink t-shirts all over town. Now all those folks can be wearing your design. Submit your design (.jpg) file or a picture of your t-shirt by Jan. 22, 2009 to: Don't forget to include your Name, Email Address, Phone Number, Mailing Address and Age The winning t-shirt will be voted on by fans and recognized at the Gators Link to Pink Meet on Jan. 30. Your design will serve as inspiration for the 2010 Gators Link to Pink t-shirt. |
Team colors will be set aside for the Jan. 30 dual meet, as Florida and Kentucky will both wear pink leotards (but different shades) in the meet that is dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness. This meet is part of a Southeastern Conference-wide initiative and this is the fourth time Florida has participated in a breast cancer awareness competition (2006 at Alabama, 2007 at Georgia, 2007 versus Kentucky, 2008 versus LSU).
The night of the competition, fans can learn about various American Cancer Society programs here in Alachua County that are available to help in early detection and prevention, which are keys to the fight against breast cancer. Pledge cards will be available to fans to contribute money based on the total number of points scored by Florida and Kentucky combined on the floor exercise. This money will aid such local services as
- The Hope Lodge (home-like atmosphere with easy access to Gainesville medical centers for cancer patients who have traveled from out of town for treatment. All accommodations and services of the American Cancer Society and Hope Lodge are free of charge to patients and caregivers)
- Reach to Recovery (connects breast cancer patients with survivors providing free one-on-one support and information to help women and men cope with their breast cancer experience)
- Look Good... Feel Better (a free, community-based program that teaches beauty techniques to female cancer patients currently in chemotherapy or radiation treatment to help restore their appearance and self-image)
- R.O.C.K. Scholarship Program (offers college-aged cancer survivors' dreams of attending college. The ACS Florida Division founded its College Scholarship Program in 1992 to offer these survivors hope for their future)
For more information on the program, visit www.cancer.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345. The first 500 people to turn in their pledge cards that evening will receive a free rental from a Gainesville area Blockbuster Video.
"This event has become something the entire team really looks forward to each season. Breast cancer impacts too many people. We want to do all we can to raise awareness about early detection and prevention in fighting this disease. It is also important to help raise the spirits of those who are going through treatment," UF Head Coach Rhonda Faehn said. “Thank you Gator fans for your support of our past Link to Pink meets and we look forward to seeing you in the stands Jan. 30. You do make a difference in the fight against breast cancer."
An estimated 182,460 new cases and deaths from breast cancer were predicted in American women in 2008 alone. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. The National Cancer Institute estimates that based on current rates, 12.7 percent of women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in their lives. In the state of Florida, the rate of a diagnosis of a new invasive breast cancer is 126 per 100,000 women. It ranks second among cancer deaths in women. Death rates from breast cancer have steadily decreased in women since 1990 and these decreases are due to a combination of earlier detection and improved treatment.
