By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News
news@kcautv.com
(From St. Luke's Regional Medical Center) The 5th Annual Pink in the Rink raised more than $47,000 for breast cancer education and awareness in Siouxland. Held last Saturday during the Sioux City Musketeers' home game, the event raises funds for St. Luke's Imaging and Breast Screening Center and Susan G. Komen for the Cure Siouxland Affiliate.
"Each one of us likely knows someone who has been impacted by breast cancer. The Sioux City Musketeers, along with the support of our generous fans, are pleased to support the breast cancer fight here in Siouxland through Pink in the Rink," says Rich Zaber, Executive Vice President of the Sioux City Musketeers. "Every year, it is inspiring to see so many Siouxlanders in attendance at Pink in the Rink to show their support for local breast cancer survivors and those currently fighting the disease."
More than 3,800 Siouxlanders packed the Tyson Events Center for Pink in the Rink in which $3 of every ticket sold went toward the fight against breast cancer. Following the game, over $19,000 was raised during an auction of pink game jerseys. T-shirts and pink ducks were also sold as part of Pink in the Rink night. This year's event raised $7,000 more than last year's Pink in the Rink.
The dollars raised are split evenly between St. Luke's Imaging and Breast Screening Center and Susan G. Komen for the Cure Siouxland Affiliate. In addition to funding education and awareness, Pink in the Rink also helps support the advancement of breast cancer technology in Siouxland. With proceeds from Pink in the Rink, St. Luke's has acquired stereotactic breast biopsy, a less invasive form of biopsy performed under local anesthetic. The technology allows patients to return to work the same day as their procedure.
Each year, nearly 230,000 women and 2,100 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. Approximately 85% of breast cancer cases occurred in women with no family history of the disease.
The 5th Annual Pink in the Rink was sponsored by the Sioux City Musketeers, KCAU Channel 9, Clear Channel, Sioux City Journal, Avery Outdoors, Siouxland Obstetrics and Gynecology and Sprint.
