By Kimberly Yamaguchi
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Breast cancer is the second most common cancer amongst women. Nearly one in every five girls is affected by it, whether it’s through a mother, sister, grandmother, or herself. For the past two years the MHS girls’ volleyball teams have held a fundraiser called “Dig Pink” to aid those affected by breast cancer. Last year they held a match, but this year they decided to hold a clinic for children on Oct. 15.
“It’s a fundraiser; my girls love volleyball. It’s a really good thing and they had a chance to improve on their skills,” said Vicki Kitajima, parent of Dig Pink participants. Kitajima whose two daughters, ages 7 and 10, participated in the event.
“We hoped to show little kids why volleyball is fun and why we love it. Just to try spread the sport to other people,” said Varsity player Senior Lani Kaiwi. Aside from their love of volleyball they hoped to spread breast cancer awareness. “It’s more for the cause. It’s about helping people give money to breast cancer awareness,” explained Varsity Head Coach Val Crabbe.
Because of injuries the players sustained in the Dig Pink game against Leilehua last year, Crabbe decided to turn the event into a clinic for children ages 8 to 12. “Last year we had girls who got injured (during the game),” Crabbe explained, “I thought (a clinic would) be a better way to give back to the community.” The clinic cost $30 and came with a four-hour court time, a t-shirt and a bento. “We split the court into three, different skills on each court, like setting, serving, and passing. And then rotated every hour,” explained Varsity player Senior Kaila Kikugawa.
All proceeds from the event will benefit organizations in Hawaii, whereas last year they were donated to a national organization called “Dig Pink,” which the event was named after. “What I’m looking at is that last year the money went to the organizations on the mainland. This year the money’s going to go to the local (organizations),” Crabbe said. Forty kids attended the event and the team considered it a success. “About half the kids at our camp didn’t know how to play volleyball nor did they even hear of the sport before and we got to give them a chance to see how it works and how fun it can be,” explained Kaiwi.
The volleyball teams raised nearly $1,200 with this years’ clinic and hope to continue the event.
