Throughout the month of October, the color pink floods the lives of everyone globally. October is dedicated to breast cancer awareness and the lives of all impacted by the horrific disease. In the U.S. alone, it is proven that every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. This diagnosis changes the lives of not only the woman, but her loved ones as well.
Here in Broward, the Pink Angels of Memorial Foundation shine a bright and loving light on the community during a month that may remind people of the darkest of times. With the ladies of the Pink Angels, the residents of Broward County were able to stand in solidarity on October 20th at the annual tennis tournament.
The Pink Angels have been vigorously working with Memorial Foundation to help patients with programs that have to do with recovery or expenses. For example, they will take care of the prosthetics, wigs, IVF journeys, and more. However, in order to keep extending a hand, they host an abundance of events in order to not only continue doing this work, but to unite the community.
Shamena Khan, Immediate Past Chair, brought this tradition of hosting a tennis tournament as a fundraiser around 6 years ago. After going through a breast cancer diagnosis of her own, she was desperate to find an escape. “One day, my husband invited me to come out and play [tennis] and now I’m obsessed.” Now, Shamena plays in five different leagues for tennis and is determined to “…turn this passion into something that is positive for the patients.”
As the day begins that one sunny Sunday, volunteers, organizations, and businesses file in to help the Pink Angel have a successful afternoon of play and fun. Each organization or business arrived at 10am to set up their tents in which they will promote their brands to the players and spectators. The beautiful and selfless act that is a common factor between them all is that they are here for breast cancer awareness and to give back to the families suffering.
Kyle Fisher, who is the Sports Medicine Manager for Memorial Hospital Sports Medicine, set down a tent near the entrance to advocate for not only his cause, but for breast cancer. For his organization, he was focused on discussing the different services Memorial provides. But, Fisher was also just an advocate for the Pink Angels.
“The biggest thing is thinking about prevention. It’s important to educate yourself on the human body and just be proactive instead of reactive.”
Once the teams began to arrive, they were met with smiles from the Junior Pink Angels who were high school volunteers. They were given goodie bags, filled with treats and gifts considering that each team made a charitable donation to the cause. The Junior Pink Angels dispersed waters and Gatorades as they were escorting the players to the courts. But, with each face from these students was pure happiness to be able to contribute and spread the love that radiated from the Pink Angels.
For each volunteer, they all had their own reasons as to why they showed up early in the morning to be able to spend their time alongside the Angels. With each of them working vigorously to execute the event, they were motivated by the idea that this would help all impacted by the disease.
Cindy Kennedy, sophomore at West Broward, walked around and talked to all with a bubbly energy and a smile always on her face. For her, it was important to put her all into the event as it meant she would be contributing to the lives of those with breast cancer. “We need to support our patients at Memorial and all the other hospitals, because they need all the support and love.”
As you look onto the courts, it is filled with players wearing pink and screaming in excitement as they hit the ball to the opposing team. Once the last call was announced, the players reunited with the volunteers and the Pink Angels to enjoy food, prizes, and music. Laughter was heard from all around the Midtown Athletic Club as new faces were introduced to the love that is Pink Angels. With this tournament, not only were lives impacted by the generous donations, but by the love and effort that every single person put into this event.
