West Fargo, Shanley once again team up to fight breast cancer

By Tyler Shoberg

The West Fargo and Shanley volleyball teams are once again teaming up to fight breast cancer before they square off during a regular-season game at 7 p.m. Oct. 4, on the Deacons' home court.

In its third year, the Dig The Cure game coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with all proceeds benefiting a local organization of the host team's choosing. The Packers and Deacons also take turns steering the event, and this year its back in Shanley's court.

The Deacons picked the Essentia Health Cancer Center as this year's Dig The Cure benefactor. The Dakota Medical Foundation also has promised to match up to $3,000 of money raised.

T-shirts sales are the main source of income for the drive. Although final numbers will not be announced until after the game, West Fargo players did say they managed to sell 500 T-shirts and raise roughly $5,000 in just four days. That means, at a minimum, this year's Dig The Cure likely will generate more than $8,000 toward fighting breast cancer.

"We're just hoping, ever year, to make it bigger and better, and raise awareness in the community about breast cancer," Deacons captain Ashley Vetter said Monday.

Last year, Dig The Cure raised $6,000 for the American Cancer Society's "Look Good, Feel Better" program.

During the Dig The Cure game Tuesday, Shanley and West Fargo players will don pink uniforms, and visitors are encouraged to wear pink shirts in support of breast cancer awareness. In past years, there also has been a "Miracle Minute," in which players pass around buckets in an attempt to raise as much money as possible in 60 seconds.