Thinking pink: Women’s basketball helps raise breast cancer awareness

By Matthew Pagels | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Flagler College’s Women’s basketball doesn’t want to just raise breast cancer awareness this year. They also want to bring that impact home locally.

Flagler College Senior Jennifer Knurek, 21, has been playing basketball all four years with the Saints and earned captain status the past two years. She has been a part of the team’s Think Pink event since day one.

“We have conducted the Think Pink game every year since my freshmen year,” Knurek said. “In the past we have jumped on board with other schools across the nation to honor Kay Yow, but this year we are switching gears to recognize a local organization.”

Game day is Feb. 9th at 1:30 p.m. in the Flagler Gymnasium.

The Think Pink Event was created to raise awareness for breast cancer and to receive donations for those who are diagnosed with the disease. This year, all the money raised will be given to Unity Outreach Inc., a local organization in St. Augustine, Fla., that helps families through the process of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Head Coach Lang-Montgomery is trying to lead her team to another victory, but this time its off the court.

“As many people in attendance we can have for the game will help us raise a lot of money for Unity Outreach,” Coach Lang-Montgomery said. “Breast Cancer is a disease that has affected many lives. Support is needed for person diagnosed as well as their families and the fortunate survivors.”

The team will hold a bake sale and raffle donation in which all funds will go directly to Unity Outreach Inc. Their goal is simple: raise awareness and reach up to $1,500 in donations.

First year Assistant Coach Sharnesha Smith aims to help make this a successful event as well.

“I am excited to work with the Unity Outreach Organization of St. Augustine to create awareness and support for breast cancer,” Coach Smith said. “This is my first year working with this organization, but I got the opportunity to meet and help Sisters Peggy Jones and Sherry Turner this past October with their event known as the ‘Think Pink Motorcycle Ride’, which was held here in the Ponce De Leon Mall parking lot.”

According to the Unity Outreach website, Sisters Peggy Jones and Sherry Turner began the Unity Outreach Inc. in 2006, two years after Sherry’s daughter Wendy Judeen Owens lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 31.

“We are playing against conference opponent UNC Pembroke and we will wear pink T-shirts before the game as well as pink socks and other pink accessories,” Head Coach Lang-Montgomery said.

“Everyone is encouraged to wear pink and donate towards a great cause,” Knurek said.