News : \'Pink Nights\' continue at VSHS; efforts unite survivors, students

Dawn Yenser

Jacquie Hodgson

Barbara Wittmer

Lisa Staab

Erma Neve escorted by Stephanie Lash.

Lois Mulvaney escorted by Makenzie Westendorf

Dilyn McNeill

Dilyn McNeill

Survivors Donna Merchant and Sue Mangold escorted by Makayla Westendorf Friday.

Nancy Long

Angie Tharp

Barb Johnson

Amy Garwood escorted by Kristin Henderson

Deb Wilberg

Deb Wilberg escorted by Brittany Robinson

Diane Berger escorted by Meghan Owens

Gretta Geiken

Gretta Geiken

Janet Woodhouse

Kathie Ervin escoted by Allison Emrich

Shelly Kreutner escorted by daughter Paige (right) and Shelby Beyer

Lu Ann Karr escorted by Erin Randall

Judy Renken

Roxanne Harms, left and Deanna Henkle escorted by Mackenzie Stueck

It was just over a year ago when Mindy McClintock and Deb Hanneman organized the first "Pink Night" at Vinton-Shellsburg High School. The effort was a sucesss; the girls raised $1,000 and donated it to the Virginia Gay Hospital for its breast cancer detection programs.

This year, the effort continues, with more participants, and more connections among those affected by the illness.

Angie Tharp, Janet Woodhouse and Lisa Staab began a breast cancer survivors group a year ago; more than 20 attended the last meeting. This year, in addition to selling hundreds of black and pink T-shirts with the message "Nothing but pink," the girls on the VSHS basketball team that Hanneman coaches had the opportunity to meet breast cancer survivors and escort them during a special halftime presentation.

And the VSHS boys athletes also got involved. There will be a Pink Night this Friday when the Vikings host Solon. Many of the survivors will also be involved at that event. And another pink basketball will be used for tip-off and then sold as a fund-raiser. The boys swimming team also got involved, having a Pink Night at a recent home meet. They competed while wearing bright pink caps and also sold T-shirts.

For more information about the breast cancer survivors organization, contact Angie at Tharp Design at 472-2994. For information about Friday's Pink Night with the Vikings basketball team, call Kathy Tranel at 319-560-0515.

The breast cancer survivors pictured here were among those honored during halftime of the game on Friday.