GMBL Goes Pink in Honor of Ann Clarke Dollard

Last week, 47-year-old Ann Clarke Dollard lost her lengthy battle with breast cancer.

She left behind a family who loved her, friends who admired her endless courage and sense of humor and a community league that wants to raise money for cancer research in her honor. 

“We are raising money for Ann,” said Kim Payne, Secretary for the Greater Manassas Baseball League. “I only met her once, but I read her blog and found her story so touching. She was truly an amazing woman.”

League members have tried to raise money for a few years during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but have not been able to do a league wide fundraiser until this year.

“Every weekend during the month of October we are selling pink cancer awareness products at the baseball complex,” said Payne. “Our goal is to educate and to raise funds for Anne’s favorite charity, Life with Cancer.”

During October, league members sport everything from pink socks to custom made t-shirts supporting the cause and remembering the many people affected by the disease.

“Everyone on my son’s team has been touched by breast cancer,” said League Treasurer Wendy Jennings. “The kids really want to wear pink and be supportive.

From 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. every Saturday, Payne and other members of the league will sell t-shirts, wrist bands, tattoos and other accessories at the.

“We have wanted to do this for a long time and Ann’s death in October just spurred us on,” said Jennings. “Now that everyone knows about the fundraiser, we hope to make it a yearly event.”

Anne is survived by her mother Mary Clarke, of Manassas, who is described a "lifetime board member" of the area baseball league.