Playing for a Higher Purpose: SCA Supports Breast Cancer Research

The Pink Out games were against opponents Ensworth High School, Trousdale County High School, and Lipscomb Academy.

“The overall atmosphere in the gym the last three home games was indicative of the event’s success,” said Assistant Athletic Director Korrie Hecht. “Breast cancer has touched almost everyone’s lives, and as an all-girls school, the partnership with Ascension St. Thomas made sense. Any time our athletes have a chance to play for something bigger than themselves it ignites a greater purpose in their competition.”

Head Basketball Coach Tony Thompson agreed. “For the girls to play for something bigger than sports, to raise awareness about something that impacts so many women worldwide, and to celebrate all the women who have overcome it, fought it, and survived this deadly disease was incredible.”

Senior Dalton Vaughn echoed that sentiment. “It was a good reminder that whenever we play on the basketball court, we are playing for a cause greater than ourselves, and these games allowed us to glorify God and others through our talents on the court,” she said. “I felt inspired being part of the Pink Out games, as I was excited to support anyone affected by cancer.”

When asked about St. Cecilia’s sponsorship of the series, senior Didi Umeukeje explained, “The Pink Out games continue the service tradition of SCA students and organizations being involved in some way. It was also a perfect means of demonstrating to ourselves and the people who came to support the cause that our talents can and should be used to serve those in need.”

Given the success of the series, Thompson indicated that the next SCA basketball season would contain more Pink Out games. Umeukeje and Vaughn concurred.

“I think it was amazing and inspiring that SCA hosted these Pink Out games,” explained Umeukeje. “And, it would be wonderful if SCA could organize more events like these in the future.”

“I believe SCA should host the Pink Out series again next year because it was fun to be in an uplifting culture in the gym, where everyone supported the basketball team and the cause to fight cancer,” Vaughn added.

According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, and every two minutes a woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with the disease. An estimated four million breast cancer survivors reside in the United States. 

To learn more about the Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation please visit sainthomasfoundation.org.