The Kentucky volleyball team is working hard to raise money for Susan G. Komen Dig for the Cure, as the team hosts the Dig for the Cure match on Sunday, Oct. 28 against Georgia at 1:30 p.m. EDT.
The event has special meaning for two Wildcats who have close family members battling the disease. They tell their stories below.
Senior middle blocker Nicole Britenriker?s grandmother on her mother?s side ? Joyce ? was diagnosed with breast cancer prior to the team playing Alabama on Sept. 16, 2007. Britenriker ? who was named after her grandmother ? spent much time with her grandmother growing up and calls her the ?rock of their family.? Fortunately, after testing, it was discovered that her grandmother?s cancer hadn?t spread and she hasn?t had to undergo chemotherapy. Her grandmother ? who is in her late 60s – attends many of her matches and the sporting events of her siblings as well. Britenriker?s grandmother has told her that the best way she can help her get through the cancer is to keep playing well on the court.
?It really means a lot to me that we are raising money to cure breast cancer,? Britenriker said. ?I had never really had anything like this affect anyone close to me before and it has so much more meaning to me now to see how many people are affected by it.?
Freshman outside hitter Blaire Hiler?s mother ? Amber – was diagnosed with breast cancer during Blaire?s freshman year in high school. Her mother was diagnosed as a level 3.5 on a scale of 4. Her mother underwent more than six surgeries, having all of her lymph nodes taken out of the left side of her body and undergoing a complete mastectomy. Her mother is currently a four-year survivor of breast cancer.
?This match means a lot to me because I am now at a very high risk to get breast cancer since my mother was a level 3.5,? Hiler said. ?To raise money to help find a cure is very important to me, my family and everyone else who has to go through this situation. I can?t say enough about how much I hope we raise a lot of money along with other teams around the country to fight the cure.?
