Duchesne Academy Digs Pink!

On Tuesday, Oct. 27, Duchesne Academy will be hosting “Dig Pink,” a volleyball game supporting breast cancer awareness. In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Duchesne’s volleyball program is partnering with the Side-Out Foundation, a non-profit and research foundation dedicated to helping people with stage IV breast cancer. By hosting the Dig Pink event, Duchesne is raising awareness and funds for the Side-Out Foundation.

Duchesne’s varsity volleyball coach, Lauren Darby, says, “Dig Pink has been around for a long time. I remember doing things in high school for it, but we haven’t had anything before last year. I thought it would be a great tradition to start here.” This year is the second year Duchesne has participated in the fundraiser. In 2019, Duchesne raised almost $2000 for the foundation. This year, we aim to beat our record. 

The Side-Out Foundation creates impacts in many ways by encouraging education, community and fundraising. The foundation believes in “turning athletes into advocates” and setting them up to “become lifelong advocates for the stage IV community.” Dig Pink allows communities and teams to unite behind a common, extraordinary cause and give them something to fight for. Coach Darby points out that the idea of social awareness and giving goes back to goal 3 of the Sacred Heart, one of the five goals that is central to the core of Duchesne. The funds raised by these events go directly to the Side-Out Foundation and allows them to continue their research on precision medicine.

Breast cancer awareness is near and dear to Duchesne. One of our science teachers, Mrs. Alaina Scorsone, was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2019. She says, “My breast cancer was discovered at a routine checkup. Had I perhaps put off going to the doctor or delayed my exam, it likely would not have been discovered at such an early stage.” She is grateful for her doctors and community around her for the avid support throughout her successful journey.

“It's never easy to decide where to donate your money since there are so many worthwhile causes,” she says. “My close friends and I who have survived breast cancer choose to donate to entities which either directly aid in cancer treatment and recovery or those dedicated to research. My best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29, and in the 14 years since then the advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer has evolved greatly. These developments in cancer treatment technology have saved the lives of two of my college friends so far, as well as my own."

Coach Darby aims to continue this new tradition well into the future. “We are still growing and learning about what we can do to help,” she says, “Every year we are coming up with new ideas and I hope we can create something great here in the future.”

If you are interested in supporting the cause, you can watch Duchesne’s Dig Pink match here or donate directly to the Side-Out Foundation.