By: Jonathan Szczepaniak | Royal Oak Review | Published October 9, 2023
ROYAL OAK — The sea of pink returned to the Royal Oak Shrine Catholic High School gymnasium as the volleyball team held its annual Pink Out game on Oct. 3 at Shrine Fieldhouse.
While Shrine Catholic volleyball picked up the clean sweep 3-0 against Jackson Lumen Christi, the school raised nearly $4,000 toward the Pink Fund, a breast cancer financial assistance organization.
Shrine was able to raise funds during the game by selling T-shirts, baked goods and holding a 50/50 raffle.
The Pink Fund strives to help women who are undergoing breast cancer treatment by paying up to $3,000 over the course of three months for nonmedical bills, which includes car payments, rent, electricity and more.
“It makes a difference for people, and the Pink Fund basically supports people with the other part of the battle,” Shrine Pink Out coordinator Jennifer Gallagher said. “There’s a financial battle, a huge financial battle that accompanies breast cancer, and any illness really.”
Since being founded in 2006, the Pink Fund has given nearly $7.4 million to women in need, and Shrine continues to lend a helping hand with the fund’s efforts.
Last year, Shrine put together a massive Pink Out event that carried through not just the volleyball team, but the soccer and football teams as well.
Shrine was able to raise nearly $5,000 through the weeklong event that brought a trio of their sports together, so don’t be surprised if Shrine has something up its sleeve for 2024.
“We’re gonna turn it up again next year,” Gallagher said. “I think next year will be an even bigger event.”
For more information on the Pink Fund, how to donate, or how to apply, visit pinkfund.org.