Shawnee State University is teaming up with SOMC Cancer Center to have a “Pink Out” at SSU basketball games on Saturday, Jan. 21. SOMC will be handing out 1,000 pink T-shirts to fans attending the games to wear. Pictured from left are Wendi Waugh, director, SOMC Cancer Center; Randy Arnett, president and CEO, SOMC; Shawn E. Bear; Dr. Rita Rice Morris, president, SSU; Robin Hagen-Smith, SSU Women’s Basketball head coach and breast cancer survivor.

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Shawnee State University athletes and employees are teaming up with Southern Ohio Medical Center to promote breast cancer awareness at a “Pink Out” at SSU basketball games on Saturday, Jan. 21.

The Pink Out is to support the SOMC’s Breast Cancer Compassion Fund and will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the SSU Women’s Basketball game against the University of Rio Grande with the SSU Men’s Basketball team playing Rio Grande Men’s Basketball team immediately following.

“Breast cancer is a topic that is important to our employees, faculty members, students, and student athletes,” SSU President Rita Rice Morris said. “It is something that is very real, and personal for us, as we’ve had friends, co-workers, and family members affected by this disease. In fact, several of our employees are cancer survivors. Helping to raise awareness is our way of supporting them and their families.”

SOMC will be giving away pink T-Shirts to 1,000 fans to wear during the games. The Compassion Fund provides assistance to local breast cancer patients. Representatives from SOMC will also be on hand to provide breast cancer education.

Robin Hagan-Smith, head coach for the SSU Women’s Basketball team is a breast cancer survivor. At the first Pink Out two years ago, she was battling the disease.

“We are asking attendees at the game to put on their pink shirts to create a sea of pink in the stands to show their support for breast cancer patients,” Hagan-Smith said.

Anyone wanting to make a donation to the SOMC Breast Cancer Compassion Fund during the SSU Homecoming Pink Out may do so. All donations to the Compassion Fund go directly to providing medicine, transportation, and special care items for breast cancer patients in need.

“We are thrilled to be able to team up with a community partner like this,” Wendi Waugh, director of the SOMC Cancer Center, said. “Breast cancer touches so many lives. We all know someone who has battled this disease. That’s what makes it so personal. It’s a topic that has touched every one of us.”

Source: Shawnee State University