Eau Claire (News Release) - Luther Midelfort - Mayo Health System joined with Charter Communications and UW-Eau Claire to raise more than $18,000 in support of breast cancer awareness and research at the Dig for a Cure volleyball tournament in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Twelve area high school volleyball programs joined the Blugolds' efforts to raise funds as they hosted their own awareness/fundraising events. Luther Midelfort provided each partner school with informational materials and pink T-shirts to assist them in running their respective events. The Blugolds and their partner schools were able to raise $18,236.98 for the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Foundation to benefit breast cancer research.
Partner high schools included: Blair-Taylor, Chippewa Falls High School, Clayton, Eau Claire North, Eau Claire Regis, Eleva-Strum, Elk Mound, Fall Creek, Gilmanton, Owen-Withee, Pepin and Thorp.
The Blugolds' awareness and fundraising campaign was part of an annual Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference initiative to join the volleyball community together in the fight against breast cancer. The event, in its third year, raised about $6,000 in both 2008 and 2009.
"Obviously, the dollar amount is impressive, but I am most proud of the way that area volleyball programs joined together to help raise awareness about a disease that has affected so many of our athletes' and coaches' families," said Blugolds' volleyball coach Kim Wudi. "Thank you to all of our partner schools and to Luther Midelfort and Charter Communications for helping to make the 2010 campaign so successful."
At the Blugolds' Dig for a Cure night, Luther Midelfort health care professionals distributed informational materials and answered questions about breast cancer. They sold pink T-shirts and gave away pink water bottles and other prizes during contests held throughout the match. Charter Communications was also on-site with other contests to help generate excitement among a crowd of more than 900, nearly 400 of whom were students from 22 area schools.
