Gritty in Pink

By Misty Cryer

Cancer survivors and battlers were recognized, and those who passed away were remembered at a special “Dig Pink” event, combined with a Carlsbad Cavegirl Volleyball match, at the end of September.

Educational booths were set up in the lobby, and a fundraiser was held featuring T-shirt sales, a cake auction, a silent auction, and a raffle, with proceeds going to Faith Hope and Love Foundation. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the T-shirt fundraiser will continue through the month.

The Carlsbad Cavegirls Volleyball Program does a Dig Pink event every year, said Bonnie McKenzie, Assistant Coach. “It is really popular throughout the state of New Mexico, but it is nationwide as well,” she said.

“There are never enough resources and help for people who are surviving and/or battling breast cancer, or any type of cancer,” said Coach McKenzie. “It is our way to try to give back and let our community know that we love them; we support them,” she said, adding that they want cancer survivors and battlers to feel encouraged and supported by the program.

McKenzie said she has been a coach for nearly 30 years and has been involved in organizing Dig Pink matches for about 25 of those years, both as head coach and assistant coach.

“It is something that is near and dear to my heart,” she said. “We want it to be a very positive, supportive, uplifting, motivational event. We got great feedback from it, and I just love that we did.”

The event can be different from year to year, said Coach McKenzie. “It is something that inspires women and men who are fighting the battle or have survived and are maintaining a healthy lifestyle now,” she said.

“I have ex-players who have gone through it. I have known people who have passed on—we call them Pink Angels,” said McKenzie.

“We always make sure that we gift our survivors and battlers,” she said, referencing the tables in the lobby that had gifts, including signed volleyballs, gift bags, and pink roses that were donated by Albertsons.

“Our community was so great with donating services, gift certificates, tangible items. We were extremely blessed to have the support of the community,” said McKenzie.

Survivors, battlers, and anyone who wanted to walk for a Pink Angel were asked to report to the score table. “We walked from sideline to sideline with them. It is just really empowering,” she said.

The organizing group, consisting of parents, community members, Coach Hardison (the head coach), and McKenzie, is called the “Dig Pink Dream Team” by McKenzie. “I had a group of 10-plus parents that just went to town. Anything I asked, they did; they had some great ideas as well. To see them having a good time and wanting to give back, it was inspiring,” she said.

“This has been our largest Dig Pink match in a few years,” said McKenzie, who also recognizes it as an educational event. “We had three vendors there to educate,” she said.

Coach McKenzie said, “It is important to me for our young people to understand how to give back and how to support each other. In this event, our kids showed up.”

The team wore T-shirts that said, “We Fight with You” on the back to school, with the assignment to invite at least three people to come “Dig Pink with us,” she said, adding that it helps them learn to communicate.

“I want to give a special shoutout to our freshmen team,” said McKenzie, explaining they didn’t play in the match but helped out. “We couldn’t have done it without them and our dream team. They were so selfless,” she said.

Coach McKenzie’s afternoon class helped, too, she said, “It teaches them to give back, give from your heart without expecting anything in return.”

Acknowledging that it takes a whole panel to put on the event, McKenzie said the Cheer and Dance Program also helped with entertainment, while Donny, the school’s custodian, served as a DJ. “He has a playlist ready to rock and roll,” she said.

“My challenge to my students was to go, get extra credit, support a great cause, and have fun,” she said. “Even if you can’t participate in any of the fundraising details, showing up is enough,” she added.

In a future game, a check will be presented to a representative from Love, Hope, and Faith Foundation. “We’ll still have T-shirt sales going on through the month of October. If anyone is interested, they can reach out to me,” said McKenzie, who can be reached at 505-401-9479. “We ordered more T-shirts than we have in the past because we wanted to push it,” she said.

Noting that the superintendent, principal, and a lot of school staff were there, Coach McKenzie said, “On behalf of the Cavegirl Volleyball Program, we just want to thank our school district, our community, our volleyball program, volleyball parents, and our other athletic programs that came out to support the event.”