Western State College of Colorado

GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State College volleyball’s breast cancer awareness nights the last two seasons, which have combined for nearly $2,000 in donations, was part of the $100,000 donated by the Gunnison Valley “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” campaign to Gunnison Valley Hospital. Cattlemen’s Days president Jim Swaim presented the check last Friday for the purchase of a new digital mammography platform.

"It was an honor to team up with Gunnison High School Volleyball and help be a part of the TETWP fundraising," said Head Volleyball Coach Katie Moskowitz. "A ton of hard work goes into Gunnison County's TETWP organization and the passion that they have for such a great cause is something for our young women in our program to look up to and hopefully be able to give back themselves someday."

Partnering with Gunnison High School for this year’s event, the two volleyball programs raised $1,591.75 for the local “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” campaign, more than triple the inaugural event in 2008. All revenue from the gate, an iPod raffle and sales were donated. The night was also a success on the court, as all four local teams won their respective matches.

The local "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" campaign is one of the top local organizations within the national campaign. The organization is committed to raising funds for breast cancer research, assistance to survivors, biopsies, mammograms and ultrasounds for use in the Gunnison Valley. The local campaign has been consistently recognized at the national level for the amount raised based on the size of the community.