Wearing pink for Breast Cancer awareness

The Red Raiders have a new adversary, and they are wearing pink for the battle! In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, athletes have been wearing pink arm bands in a show of solidarity with those fighting cancer. “Wearing the pink wristbands was important to our team to represent and honor friends and family members who have been impacted by cancer,” explained head coach Ryan Donaldson.

The arm bands were generously provided to all members of the team by an avid supporter of the Red Raiders and Meyersdale Area School District – Jen Buterbaugh, owner of JB Branded Threads. “I have been attending as many of the football games this year as I can because my cousin Trey is a senior and he is a starting player. I noticed at the first home game into October that none of our players had any pink on to support breast cancer awareness. I have been named ‘the pink ribbon girl’ from some of the middle schoolers because I wear pink ribbon or breast cancer awareness shirts every day in October to support the cause,” Buterbaugh explained. “My Grandma lost her fight to breast cancer when I was 14, so this month and the meaning of it are very special to me. When I started my small business, I set a goal to sell enough breast cancer awareness shirts in October to be able to donate 10 shirts to breast cancer survivors. I exceeded that and then some last year. This year, my goal was to double that and to contribute somewhere else and I thought of our Red Raiders. If the NFL does it, why shouldn’t our small town? We have heart, courage, empathy, and hope. I sure was proud to see the team coming out at the most recent game, adorned in pink. Who says tough guys and girls can’t wear pink?”

Donaldson said his players are proud to wear pink and appreciate the opportunity to show their support during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “Jen’s generosity to donate the wristbands to the high school team is greatly appreciated by all and demonstrates the support these student-athletes have in the community for a good cause throughout the month of October,” he added.