Moraine Valley raises funds to support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Moraine Valley Community College’s Student Life Office and Health, Fitness & Recreation Center recently co-sponsored the annual Big Pink Volleyball Tournament to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. Nearly 70 students and staff members competed in the tournament and raised over $2,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Members of the fitness center and Student Life Office presented the money raised at the tournament to Katherine Koyak, development manager in Chicago for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, at a check presentation held in the Health, Fitness & Recreation Center’s gymnasium.

“The people at Susan G. Komen want to say thank you so much for the college putting in the effort to plan and have this wonderful event. It means so much,” Koyak said. “Every dollar raised helps in the fight against breast cancer. In the Chicagoland area, we focus on health equity and making sure every person gets the same access to care. And that’s what Moraine Valley’s students and staff are doing. They are helping their own community.”

The college hosted the event for the first time in 2021. This year, the amount of money raised was approximately double what was raised during the first tournament. In addition, the number of teams participating increased from nine to 12.

Players paid $5 to compete in the tournament, and custom T-shirts, designed by the college’s Marketing and Communications Department, were sold to support the cause.

Robert Huizenga, the Health, Fitness & Recreation Center’s senior assistant director of Business Services and Communications, expressed his enthusiasm for the event.

“We were very excited to collaborate with the Student Life Office to host the second annual Big Pink Volleyball Tournament,” he said. “The response we got from our community members and students was truly the highlight. So many people have been affected by breast cancer in some way. To be able to host an event that raises awareness and pursues a cure was an easy decision, and the support we got in participation and donations was amazing.”

The college plans to continue this annual event and support of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

For media inquiries, contact Karen Town, communications specialist, at (708) 974-5652 or [email protected].

Photo Caption

Moraine Valley Community College presented a $2,005 check to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which was raised at the Big Pink Volleyball Tournament the Health, Fitness & Recreation Center and Student Life Office recently hosted. Shown are (left to right) Charles Dockery, coordinator of membership and guest services; Ellen Papan, assistant director of fitness and wellness services; Jana Terborg, assistant director of facilities; Laura Vazquez, secretary in the Code of Conduct and Student Life Office; Huizenga; Koyak; Angela Caringella, assistant director of youth programs and student development; and Alex Rich, associate director of operations.