ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico volleyball team held its annual “Lobos Love Pink” match Saturday, October 18 and raised $2,982 that will benefit the UNM Hospitals Cancer Center.
“What a great event “Lobos Love Pink” is each year,” said head coach Jeff Nelson. “This year was no different. The players and Allison went out and got tons of donations that we were able to turn into nearly three thousand dollars for the UNM Cancer Center. I could not be prouder of the entire team, both indoor and sand, along with Allison Buck and Chantale Riddle.”
During the match, the Lobos held a silent auction which included many items from other UNM athletic teams and also many restaurants and businesses around the Albuquerque area. There was also a raffle that took place during the match and that raised over $700 alone.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 1,450 New Mexican women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis in 2014 and that 260 will die from the disease. “While breast cancer can be a devastating diagnosis, it is treatable and even curable especially in early stages,” says Anna Voltura, MD, at the UNM Cancer Center. “Our breast cancer survivors are a testament to this, and always remind us of the strength they have as well as the enormous advances we have made in the fight against breast cancer.”
Dr. Voltura co-leads the UNM Cancer Center breast cancer team with Melanie Royce, MD, PhD. The team includes medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. All work closely together to design the best treatment plan for each of the UNM Cancer Center’s breast cancer patients. “Regular screenings help tremendously,” says Dr. Royce. “Awareness is very important.”
All (100%) of the money donated to the UNM Cancer Center goes to use the donor designates. So, if you wish to donate to breast cancer research, that’s where it will go. Donors can also donate to the general fund which allocates money based on where it’s needed most.