Link to Pink gymnastics meet to raise breast cancer awareness

February 9, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. –– The top-ranked University of Florida gymnastics team will join the fight against breast cancer when it faces Kentucky in the Gators Link to Pink meet set for 7 p.m., Feb. 16, in the O’Connell Center.

Team colors will be set aside as Florida and Kentucky players each will wear different shades of pink leotards for the meet dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer. Fans are invited to show their support in the fight by also wearing pink. The first 1,000 people through the doors will receive a pink T-shirt.

“Breast cancer has touched the lives of so many people,” UF head Coach Rhonda Faehn said. “Raising awareness about early detection and prevention are so important to fighting this disease. We want to do what we can to help prevent breast cancer or to uplift those that are going through treatment.”

Information will be available at the meet on various American Cancer Society programs in Alachua County dedicated to early detection and prevention of breast cancer. Pledges — based on total points scored by both teams on floor exercises — will be accepted to aid local services, including the Hope Lodge, Reach to Recovery and Look Good…Feel Better. The first 300 people to turn in pledge cards at the meet will receive a free movie video rental. People who donate $100 or more will get a free AMS Breast Cancer T-shirt, while supplies last.

For more information on the program, visit www.cancer.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345.