JBU teams go pink for cause

n The volleyball, women’s basketball and cheer squads raised nearly $3,000 for cancer research.

Photo submitted A combined effort between the John Brown University women's basketball, volleyball and cheer teams helped raise nearly $3,000 toward a variety of efforts. Pictured, from left, are JBU cheerleaders Conner Bedor, Madison Spence, Ceclia and Charles Peer with daughter Jordan and grandkids Londan and Collier, Kelsey King, Natalie Lowry and Lizzie Graham.
Photo submitted A combined effort between the John Brown University women's basketball, volleyball and cheer teams helped raise nearly $3,000 toward a variety of efforts. Pictured, from left, are JBU cheerleaders Conner Bedor, Madison Spence, Ceclia and Charles Peer with daughter Jordan and grandkids Londan and Collier, Kelsey King, Natalie Lowry and Lizzie Graham.

In a combined effort between the John Brown University women's basketball, volleyball and cheer programs, JBU was able to raise nearly $3,000 between the Dig Pink and Sink Pink efforts in 2017-18, Director of Athletics Robyn Daugherty announced March 16.

The money was raised from Dig Pink night, hosted by the volleyball team in October 2017 and the Sink Pink efforts of the women's basketball and cheer teams in February. The money raised was earmarked toward a variety of outlets.

"We are so honored to be able to come alongside these organizations to help out in this fight against cancer" said head Jeff Soderquist, women's basketball coach and assistant director of athletics. "We hope that in the future our events can become bigger and be able to help even more."

Because of the efforts, a local Siloam Springs family is able to pay medical bills from cancer treatments for their son. METAvivor NWA, in conjunction with Cecilia Peer (wife of JBU faculty member Charles Peer) received a donation that supports metastatic breast cancer research. Highlands Oncology, which specializes in chemotherapy and radiation therapy in Northwest Arkansas received a donation. Also, the Side-Out Foundation received a donation to assist in its mission to enhance breast cancer research and awareness.

"These events really brought the athletics department together" said Elicia Williamson, head cheer coach. "JBU cheer enjoyed taking the lead and working so close with the volleyball and women's basketball teams to raise money for such great causes. We look forward to doing this for many years to come."

The proceeds were raised through a variety of methods, including T-shirt sales, bake sales, volleyball serving game, and donations from many in the JBU and Siloam Springs communities.

"This fall's Dig Pink event was a fantastic success and our team wouldn't have been able to raise the amount we did without the partnership with the cheer squad and all of their efforts throughout the month of October," head volleyball coach Ken Carver said. "While we've supported the Side-Out Foundation in the past with our awareness and fundraising campaigns, it was extra meaningful this year to be able to help a local family with their son's battle with cancer and be able to assist them with their medical bills."

Sports on 03/21/2018