MW
Mary Wilson
  • Pope, MS

Mary Wilson Helps Make "Rangers Go Pink" a Success at Northwest

2011 Oct 4

A vibrant pink replaced the usual sea of red and blue that regularly floods Northwest Mississippi Community College football stands as Ranger fans came out in droves dressed to support breast cancer awareness during the "Rangers Go Pink" game versus Northeast Mississippi Community College on Thursday, Sept. 29 to kick off October as Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Throughout pre-game Ranger cheerleaders collected donations and invited any supporter to join "Team Northwest" as the squad continues to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Mary Wilson of Pope has helped "Team Northwest" raise more than $700 for the cause so far, as the squad prepares to participate in the Memphis Race for the Cure on Oct. 29.

Keila Duarte of Batesville, Ashley McNair of Philadelphia and their fellow Northwest cheerleaders adorned Ranger fans with pink beads, temporary face tattoos and pompoms as the spectators made their ways into the stands. "Northwest is promoting breast cancer awareness, because it is a major issue any woman or man could face," said Duarte. "We are trying to show everyone that it is very important to get checked," said McNair.

In the weeks leading up to the event, Liesl Davenport, cheer sponsor and intramural coordinator, invited faculty, staff, students and friends of Northwest or Northeast who are breast cancer survivors and those who are still fighting to overcome the disease to sign up to be recognized during halftime for their courage and strength and to bring attention to the importance of breast cancer screenings. Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears, joined members of the Ranger cheerleaders as they delivered pink roses to five breast cancer survivors during a special halftime presentation on the 50-yard line.

"In 2010 there were more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States," said halftime announcer and Assistant Director of Campus Life and Housing, Ed Carroll. "Tonight we honor our survivors."

"The 'Rangers Go Pink' game is so important to me, because I am a 10 year survivor of breast cancer and a former teacher at Northwest," said Marilyn Spears, retired early childhood education technology instructor. "It makes me very proud that they would support breast cancer awareness for the month of October."

"I would like to thank Northwest for showing awareness of breast cancer tonight and for taking care of their survivors by making us feel so special," said Linda Blount of Independence, mother of Northwest Athletic Director, Cameron Blount. "For all of you who do not go regularly for your breast exams, I would tell you the major thing to do is get early detection for breast cancer."

Marie Beard of Batesville and her daughter-in-law Donna Beard of Senatobia were also among the five women recognized during the special halftime presentation.

"There are a lot of women who have breast cancer, and we need to draw attention to it, so we can do something about it," said Marie.

"It is almost like an epidemic," said Donna Beard. "You hear of so many women now who have breast cancer. Back 30 years ago it was almost like a death sentence, but now there is so much they can do for it. If you catch it early, know what to look for, see the doctor early and get your treatments, you can have a greater success and survival rate. I'm supportive of anything I can do to help other people be aware of it."

Brenda Hurst, grandmother of Northwest student Samantha Woods of Horn Lake, joined Marie and Donna Beard, Spears and Blount for the special halftime presentation.

For more information about donating to "Team Northwest" for the Susan G. Komen Memphis Race for the Cure, contact Liesl Davenport at ldavenport@northwestms.edu or visit the team's fundraising website at www.komenmemphis.org/komen-race-for-the-cure/teams/.

Pictured: Pictured: (Back row, l-r) Alexis Harris of Horn Lake, Carmen Long of Ackerman, Macy Morris of Nesbit, Meghan Waddell of Olive Branch, Catee Clem of Strayhorn, Ali Chetwood of Potts Camp, (Front row, l-r) Catherine Taylor of Southaven, Fisher Sullivan of Batesville, Mary Wilson of Batesville, Juli Hand of Senatobia, Keila Duarte of Batesville, Amber Pettigrew of Grenada and McKenzie Brower of Hernando cheer on the Northwest Ranger football team during the "Rangers Go Pink" game against Northeast on Thursday, Sept. 29 to kick off October as Breast Cancer Awareness month. Throughout pre-game Ranger cheerleaders collected donations and invited any supporter to join "Team Northwest" as the squad continues to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "Team Northwest" will participate in the Memphis Race for the Cure on Oct. 29 and has raised more than $700 for the cause so far.