Moorpark College Women’s Volleyball will host Hancock College in their fourth annual “Dig Pink” game. The fundraiser is aimed at raising awareness for breast cancer, as well as honoring those afflicted by it.

Originally started by Head Coach Stephen Burkhart, Dig Pink was the first cancer awareness fundraiser held at Moorpark College.

Burkhart explained the significance of the very first Dig Pink game.

“We decided to start the event in conjunction with many other college volleyball teams that figured it was a way to support breast cancer research,” said Burkhart. “The first year we had Ericka Smith on our team who was a childhood cancer survivor, so it took on special meaning to our team.”

Dig Pink has raised nearly $2,000 in past years with the proceeds going to the Side-Out Foundation, which supports breast cancer research. The event is scheduled for Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. and will be held in the Moorpark College Gymnasium.

Athletic Director Howard Davis said planning for the Dig Pink game was done by the team itself.

“The great thing about Dig Pink is that Coach Burkhart gives total command and control of this event to a student athlete or group on his team,” said Davis. “They do all the work to plan, publicize and run the event.”

This year Outside-Hitter Rebecca Jones was put in charge of planning and organizing the event. Jones is in her sophomore year here at Moorpark College and attended last year’s fundraiser.

Jones spoke about the festivities that will be at the fundraiser.

“We will have a bake sale and a raffle,” said Jones. “Each girl will hand out a flower to someone at the game to represent someone who has been affected by cancer.”

Pledges can be made towards each “Dig” during the game as well as any other donations. Dig Pink T-shirts will also be for sale. Along with the bake sale and raffle, a survivor wall will be on display where fans can donate towards having their loved ones honored on the wall.

Online donations to the Side-Out Foundation can be made by visiting: https://www.side-out.org/cb/ous/fundraising_page/2880.