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Bump, set, give

By HILLARY DAVIS
Sun Staff Reporter
Sunday, November 08, 2009

Rachel Brownfield is a high school junior, far younger than most women start really thinking about breast health.

But it was a cause she took up recently when she organized her fellow athletes on the Flagstaff High School volleyball teams to donate one night's game proceeds to the Breast Cancer Research Center at Flagstaff Medical Center. The girls collected $1,050 in door and concession sales for the center on Oct. 22, when they played Cottonwood Mingus at home. All three teams participated and had extra fun by wearing pink shoelaces or socks with their regulation uniforms. Varsity won their game in three, for added delight.

Mingus is always a good rival, so the crowd and motivation were already there. But this added something special.

"It was a great game. It was Mingus -- we're always out trying to get them. I know personally I was extra-motivated and really wanted to do this, not only to say we beat Mingus but to beat Mingus and do it for breast cancer as well," said Rachel, a varsity setter. "I'm sure a lot of the other girls were, too. I know we were all thinking about it and really wanted to help the cause."

Rachel organized the event in about a week, with the help of coaches, the booster club and school athletic director Jeannine Brandel. The girls quickly made up pink T-shirts to help them be walking billboards at school. Coca-Cola kicked in $200. The total amount raised: $1,050, surpassing Rachel's expectations.

The team knocked back its $4 admission to $2 plus a donation to the BCRC, and Rachel and frosh player Taryn Brandel assembled pink ribbon pins as a favor.

It was a spur-of-the-moment idea Rachel had at home while chatting with her mom. The disease hasn't had any direct impact on her, but she supports awareness. (October was also breast cancer awareness month.)

"This is a really important cause for women especially," Rachel said, nothing that it can also afflict men, though rarely. "I'm a woman and I know it can happen all the time and you don't even know it's gonna happen, and so it's just really one of those things that you have to always watch out for, and (is) great to know about and great to support."

The BCRC is a part of FMC's Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare. It is based in Flagstaff.

"We are very grateful to the FHS volleyball teams and all the students and parents who helped raise money to benefit breast cancer patients," said the center's Gina Harris. "The money will help women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer by providing them with educational materials, prosthetics, wigs and the support they (need) during a difficult time. On behalf of those women and the Cancer Center, thank you."

Rachel said she is a "people pleaser," and already has some experience with using volleyball for philanthropy: In the spring, she organized a charity volleyball tournament to benefit the American Heart Association, collecting $300. She hopes to do another tourney for the heart association and another fundraiser game for breast cancer during her senior season.

"That's one of the most rewarding things about this to me, is that I went out and I made it happen, and it's such a good cause," she said.

Hillary Davis can be reached at hdavis@azdailysun.com or 556-2261.

ON THE WEB:

www.flagstaffmedicalcenter.com/OurServices/CancerCenterAtFMC/BreastCancerResourceCenter

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