LWC Girls' Water Polo Teams To Pull On Pink Swim Caps, Play For Breast Cancer Awareness

NEW LENOX, IL — The Lincoln-Way Central girls water polo teams will face off against the Lockport Township Porters Thursday, with a cause close to their hearts in mind.

In pink caps and using a pink ball in their 2nd annual breast cancer awareness game, the Knights will raise funds for Pink Heals Joliet Chapter, a non-profit committed to supporting individuals and families in their local community facing various challenges, with a primary focus on those battling cancer.

The effort started last year in support of Lockport's girls water polo varsity head coach Derek Sanderson, whose wife Amanda had been newly diagnosed with breast cancer at the time.

"Both Amanda and Derek had gone to Lincoln-Way Schools, played a large role in the aquatics community, and currently live in our community," LWC Varsity Head Coach Pamela Shaughnessy told Patch. "We knew we wanted to do something for them, and what better way than to get our young female athletes involved!"

The team's effort started small, Shaughnessy said.

"... just wearing pink to the game and passing out pink ribbon pins, but the girls had so many ideas on how to make the event bigger each year," Shaughnessy said. "So that is what we are doing—making it bigger this year!"

This year's event will feature a Joey's Red Hots food truck on-site from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., with a kickback of purchases going back to Pink Heals. A representative from the organization will also be present collecting donations, Shaughnessy said.

"This is an amazing organization that does surprise visits to women diagnosed," Shaughnessy said, noting that Amanda Sanderson had been a recipient of their efforts. "This is the kind of experience that gives you chills and brings tears to your eyes. A pink fire truck, ambulance, and police car drive along with all of the family and friends during the visit."

Spectators on Thursday can expect to see a lot of pink, Shaughnessy said. The players will also hand out pink ribbons to the fans.

"This event is very important to our young athletes because so many of them have been affected by breast cancer within their family and friends," Shaughessy told Patch. "Our young athletes want to give back and care about members in their community as well as bring awareness to young women."

The Knights will play at home Thursday, with varsity set for 5 p.m. and junior varsity at 6 p.m. Admission is free.