Ankeny, Dowling Will Play Tonight Among a Sea of Pink for Cancer Awareness

The Hawks and the Maroons are trading in their trademark colors for pink tonight in a special event to raise money for cancer awareness.

will host a special Coaches vs. Cancer event during the girls' and boys' basketball games against . In addition to the games, those who attend can purchase special cancer awareness memorabilia, take in the players' new threads and even enjoy a little ice cream with all proceeds going to benefit the American Cancer Society.

“People who arrive here tonight are going to be smothered in pink ribbons for a good cause,” said Kevin Biggs, athletic and activities director for the Ankeny school district. “We felt it would be a good night to honor those close to us who have fought cancer.”

The girls' basketball game begins at 6:15 p.m., with the boys following at 8 p.m.

Before the game, those who attend the game can purchase raffle tickets to win one of several donated items. Although Biggs said he’s not sure what’s on the list for prizes, he was assured it’s some “pretty cool stuff.”

There also will be pink beanies for sale for $10. The beanies are embroidered with the words “Hawks Fight Cancer.” There also will be commemorative suns for sale for $1 each on which the purchaser can display his or her name.

Ankeny school board President George Tracy, who is employed by Blue Bunny, also donated more than 200 ice cream products. Proceeds from the ice cream sales also will go to the ACS.

Coaches from Both Schools Fought Cancer

Inside the gym, both Ankeny and Dowling players will warm up in special shirts purchased to honor those close to the teams who have fought cancer. Among those individuals are Sharon Hanson, the Dowling girls' head coach, who is fighting ovarian cancer, and Scott DeJong, the Ankeny girls' head coach and a prostate cancer survivor.

The warm-up shirts will display the initials of Hanson, as well as the mother of Ankeny player Samantha Hetrick, whose mother also is fighting breast cancer.

Although Ankeny High School has hosted other Coaches vs. Cancer events in the past, Biggs said it was Hetrick who approached him about hosting the event this year.

“This hits close to home for her,” Biggs said. “She’s also a Girl Scout and is helping plan this as part of her Gold Award project.”

DeJong, whose father-in-law died of colon cancer, said Coaches vs. Cancer events are a great way to bring awareness to the cause.

“Cancer affects lives in almost every family,” DeJong said. “Early detection and treatment really are the difference makers, and we want to create awareness and raise money so more progress can be made.”