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MCCC Basketball Players Lend Support to YWCA Princeton’s Breast Cancer Resource Center

By Wendy Humphrey
The positive vibes were in the air as Mercer County Community College’s chapter of the American Association for Women in Community College (AAWCC) again teamed up with MCCC basketball players and the YWCA Princeton’s Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC). Now in its third year, MCCC’s Breast Cancer Awareness Night was held on Feb. 12 in conjunction with a women’s basketball game against Morris County College, followed by a men’s game, also against Morris.
In the end, Mercer’s teams came away victorious in both contests – and the event raised $524 for BCRC, a true win-win for all.
BCRC Program Coordinator Linda Martin expressed her gratitude to the college for hosting the event. “We have volunteers here tonight who are breast cancer survivors and have been involved in our support groups. It’s very meaningful for them to see this kind of response,” she said.
During halftime of the women’s game, WWFM host Rachel Katz spoke of her personal journey with breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2011 at the age of 42, she has utilized the support services at BCRC and been grateful for having a special place to turn.
“The goal is to help women live through and beyond breast cancer,” Katz told the crowd. She encouraged both women and men to “know yourself and your body. The more you know, the more you are able to know when something is wrong.”
Survivor Terry Kremenich also spoke. A four-year survivor, she noted the importance of annual mammograms and applauded BCRC for all that it does to help women as they go through their treatment and focus on the future.
Contributors received wristbands and were eligible for raffle prizes, which included athletic bags, a fleece blanket and more.
Both the MCCC and the Morris County teams got into the spirit, donning pink shoelaces and special socks. One player from the men’s team was a real standout in his hot pink sneakers. Members of the women’s team contributed approximately 20 knitted hats to the BCRC, which were presented to Director Kara Stevenson.