Oct. 15, 2009
By Stephanie Hayes
UCFAthletics.com
On Friday, Oct. 16 the UCF women's volleyball team will take to the court versus Rice in an event dubbed "Dig for the Cure." As the players accumulate digs throughout the evening, money will be raised for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in an effort to aid the research to find a cure for breast cancer.
For one player however, the game is more personal. Junior Lauren Williams has been touched by the effects of breast cancer as her mother was diagnosed with the disease when she was very young.
"My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was very little," she says. "She tried to actually hide it a little bit, because she didn't really want me to go through the pain she was going through. But later through the years she told me, so I know now what her experience was. She's not the only one who had breast cancer in my family, so I like to learn from that, be aware of that and try to help out as much as I can."
The awareness that an event like "Dig for the Cure" brings to such a cause is one benefit that Williams is definitely not taking for granted.
"Dig for the Cure means a lot to me," she said. "Raising money to find a cure for breast cancer and having people know the effect of it, how it hurts other people and seeing that other people are out here to support it to raise the awareness, it means alot to me."
Coming off of an injury, this is Williams' first home game back on the court, timing which could not be more perfect. Hailing from Lake Mary, Fla., Williams' home games are the ideal opportunity for her family to come out and watch her play.
One very important fan will certainly be in attendance for the event. Cancer-free for eight years now, Williams' mother will be in the stands on Friday, both to cheer on her daughter and to lend yet another voice to support such an important cause. When asked what she is most excited about for this year's event however, Williams simply responds, "Lots of digs so we can raise money for the cause."
To support the UCF women's volleyball team and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, fans can come out Friday night to The Venue at UCF for a game that is set to begin at 7 p.m. Donations can be made either per dig earned by the Knights during the match or as a flat amount.