News : Pink Night: Vikettes continue tradition of supporting breast cancer survivors

Vikette Brea Burroughs escorts survivor Angie Tharp to the court on Pink Night.

Vikette Anna Sagan and survivor Deb Wilberg

Vikette Ashley McKenna and survivor Barbara Wittmer

VS cheerleaders included pink in their hair and pompoms.

Vikette basketball players honored breast cancer surivors during the annual Pink Night on Monday.

Sheri Isbell and Lexa Speidel wave the pink gloves in honor of survivors.

The Gloedes honor survivors with a wave of pink gloves.

Survivor Kathie Ervin and Vikette Bethany Stainbrook walk to the court.

Vikette Maci Griffith escorts survivors Mary Ripple and Lisa Staab.

Lois Mulvaney holds up the shirt students made in her honor when she had cancer a few years ago.

Survivors gather for a group photo with the pink basketball.

The Vikettes and survivors met on the court for the 5th straight year.

Erma Neve and Lois Mulvaney, escorted by Vikette Chelsey Mier.

For the fifth season in a row, Vinton-Shellsburg girls basketball players escorted breast cancer survivors to the basketball court during Pink Night. The event raises funds for mammography services for women who cannot afford them; it also recognizes local breast cancer survivors.

"The best thing about this is that it led to the survivors support group," said Vikette Coach Deb Schirm, who helped organize the first Pink Night in 2010. Since then VS teams, including girls and boys basketball, swimming and football, have participated in Pink Night events. The survivors meet most every month to help each other and plan events.

The second annual Party in Pink is already planned for the Friday night of Party in the Park weekend in the end of June. The survivors hope the early announcement will help make the 2014 event even bigger than the inaugural Party in Pink of 2013.

The survivors wore 2014 Party in Pink t-shirts; the Vikettes competed in pink uniforms, and even tipped off their games with a pink basketball. Many in the crowd wore pink shirts, as well, and even pink surgical gloves for a special tribute to survivors.

The night was not quite perfect, however; despite building an early lead, the Vikettes lost to Central DeWitt, 50-38.