As Palo Alto High School (15-3, 8-0) and Los Altos High School (13-11, 2-5) face off in a league match tonight at 6:45 p.m., the two volleyball teams will be battling a common opponent: breast cancer.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, proceeds from fundraisers at the match will go to the Side-Out Foundation, an organization that raises money through Dig Pink rallies around the country. The rallies aim to combat cancer and improve a patient’s quality of life by funding breast cancer research, clinical trials and support services.
Paly’s sixth annual Dig Pink match, taking place in the Peery Family Center, offers free admission for everyone attending.
Boba tea from Midtown Palo Alto’s new shop, Teaspoon, will be sold at the event, of which of 50 percent of proceeds will go to Dig Pink. Bake sale treats, water bottles and Dig Pink shirts will also be on sale to contribute to the cause.
According to the Side-Out Foundation, last year’s Dig Pink rally between Los Altos and Paly raised over $2,000, more than double the original goal. This year, the schools will work toward a goal of $2,500 through a number of fundraisers at the match. The rally also accepts donations at the event or online.
Coordinators encourage those attending to sport pink in a show of support for breast cancer awareness. Senior setter Tanli Su participated in the pink-themed event last year at Los Altos High School.
“All the players will be wearing Dig Pink shirts and pink ribbons, we’ll be playing with a pink ball and the gym will be decorated in pink as well,” Su said.
Last year’s Dig Pink match ended in defeat for the Vikings. This season, Paly won the first league matchup against Los Altos with a close score of 3-2 sets. If the pattern continues, tonight’s Dig Pink rally will be a tight game.
“Los Altos was the only team that we went to five sets with,” Su said. “But so far, we’re undefeated in league and I definitely think we should be able to pull through with a win.”
Donations for Paly’s Dig Pink campaign are accepted online at https://giving.side-out.org/campaigns/13098.
