More than $17,000 Raised for Breast Cancer Research During the 49th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships
07/19/2022
This marks the highest fundraising year of AAU and The Side-Out Foundation’s five-year partnership.
ORLANDO, Fla. (July 19, 2022) – The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), in partnership with The Side-Out Foundation, is proud to announce that this year’s Dig Pink Campaign during the 49th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships raised more than $17,000. These funds will support Side-Out's mission to change the way breast cancer is treated and give those living with metastatic breast cancer more tomorrows.
AAU Volleyball and The Side-Out Foundation have been partnering as part of the AAU Cares initiative for the past five years to fundraise for this important cause. This year’s total is the highest fundraising year so far.
“AAU Volleyball is so proud of all our participants for recognizing the importance of making an impact off the court. Our organization strives to provide not only athletic opportunities, but also lessons in life and social responsibility,” said Jennings “Rusty” Buchanan, AAU President & CEO. “We look forward to having another record-breaking Dig Pink Campaign for the 50th AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships next year.”
Every $2,000 raised through AAU’s Dig Pink Campaign allows Side-Out to provide an unprecedented analysis to metastatic breast cancer patients and their oncologists. This unique analysis provides treatment solutions and clinical trials for each patient that can substantially improve the length and quality of their life.
“When I had that test done, it changed everything for my course of treatment and my mindset. That test that they’re providing at Side-Out Foundation, what Dig Pink is doing, that's going to pay for these tests for other families who have already exhausted a lot of resources,” said Megan Musca, a breast cancer survivor whose daughter recently participated in the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships. “This is your best course of treatment for what Side-Out Foundation says is more tomorrows. Because tomorrows matter.” (Watch Megan’s story here)
All participants during the 49th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships were encouraged to wear pink during the “Dig Pink Days” as well as run fundraising campaigns. AAU and The Side-Out Foundation are extending a special thank you to Miami Hype Volleyball Club, which raised more than $8,000 of the $17,000 total. Miami Hype 14U Albert was the individual team that raised the most money, at $1,690, earning them a free entry into next year’s tournament.
“Miami Hype’s goal is to make a positive impact in our community through our players, families, and coaches in as many ways possible. This particular organization hit close to home for many of our members, as many of us have family and friends who have been greatly affected by breast cancer. We are grateful for the Side-Out Foundation and AAU Volleyball for giving us this opportunity to give back to our community and make an impact on the lives of those in need,” said Jessica Rodriguez, Club Director of Miami Hype.
AAU and the Side-Out Foundation would also like to thank Baden Sports, the Official Ball Partner of The Side-Out Foundation and Dig Pink. Baden sold “DIG PINK” mini volleyballs during the event, with 80 percent of sales going directly to The Side-Out Foundation’s research program. Their sales added up to more than $3,000 for the cause.
“The core of Side-Out was built by volleyball teams looking to make a difference,” reflects Rick Dunetz, Founder & Executive Director of Side-Out. “We celebrate AAU and the many club volleyball teams that stepped up to the challenge to make this year’s Dig Pink campaign to ‘ fund the fight’ one for the record books! Their commitment toward changing the course of metastatic breast cancer is inspiring and energizing.”
Learn more about The Side-Out Foundation at https://side-out.org/.
###
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelsey Burr, AAU Public Relations
e: kelsey@aausports.org
c: 407-225-5692
Gabrielle Gallagher, Side-Out Foundation
e: gabrielle.gallagher@side-out.org
p: 571-409-1878
ABOUT SIDE-OUT FOUNDATION
The Side-Out Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 2004 to make a significant and identifiable impact on the lives of metastatic breast cancer patients and their families. The organization takes an innovative approach to provide solutions for those specifically with metastatic breast cancer with the goal of becoming a source of hope for all those living with breast cancer in search of answers and treatment options.
The foundation’s precision medicine research matches patients with treatments and uses the outcome data produced from this to draw conclusions, challenge the foundations of cancer care, and change the trajectory of the disease. The organization’s educational and community-driven programs Dig Pink® and Ambassador Program are built on creating advocacy for the metastatic breast cancer community, engaging a new generation, and funding Side-Out’s revolutionary research.
ABOUT THE AAU
Founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in sports, the AAU philosophy of Sports For All, Forever is now shared by more than 700,000 members and 150,000 volunteers nationwide. The largest sport in the AAU, volleyball, has over 200,000 members with more than 300 licensed AAU indoor and beach volleyball events. The AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships is the marquee annual event for the fastest-growing sport in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). The 2022 event featured approximately 4,450 girls’ and boys’ teams across 56 divisions of competition.
AAU Volleyball and The Side-Out Foundation have been partnering as part of the AAU Cares initiative for the past five years to fundraise for this important cause. This year’s total is the highest fundraising year so far.
“AAU Volleyball is so proud of all our participants for recognizing the importance of making an impact off the court. Our organization strives to provide not only athletic opportunities, but also lessons in life and social responsibility,” said Jennings “Rusty” Buchanan, AAU President & CEO. “We look forward to having another record-breaking Dig Pink Campaign for the 50th AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships next year.”
Every $2,000 raised through AAU’s Dig Pink Campaign allows Side-Out to provide an unprecedented analysis to metastatic breast cancer patients and their oncologists. This unique analysis provides treatment solutions and clinical trials for each patient that can substantially improve the length and quality of their life.
“When I had that test done, it changed everything for my course of treatment and my mindset. That test that they’re providing at Side-Out Foundation, what Dig Pink is doing, that's going to pay for these tests for other families who have already exhausted a lot of resources,” said Megan Musca, a breast cancer survivor whose daughter recently participated in the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships. “This is your best course of treatment for what Side-Out Foundation says is more tomorrows. Because tomorrows matter.” (Watch Megan’s story here)
All participants during the 49th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships were encouraged to wear pink during the “Dig Pink Days” as well as run fundraising campaigns. AAU and The Side-Out Foundation are extending a special thank you to Miami Hype Volleyball Club, which raised more than $8,000 of the $17,000 total. Miami Hype 14U Albert was the individual team that raised the most money, at $1,690, earning them a free entry into next year’s tournament.
“Miami Hype’s goal is to make a positive impact in our community through our players, families, and coaches in as many ways possible. This particular organization hit close to home for many of our members, as many of us have family and friends who have been greatly affected by breast cancer. We are grateful for the Side-Out Foundation and AAU Volleyball for giving us this opportunity to give back to our community and make an impact on the lives of those in need,” said Jessica Rodriguez, Club Director of Miami Hype.
AAU and the Side-Out Foundation would also like to thank Baden Sports, the Official Ball Partner of The Side-Out Foundation and Dig Pink. Baden sold “DIG PINK” mini volleyballs during the event, with 80 percent of sales going directly to The Side-Out Foundation’s research program. Their sales added up to more than $3,000 for the cause.
“The core of Side-Out was built by volleyball teams looking to make a difference,” reflects Rick Dunetz, Founder & Executive Director of Side-Out. “We celebrate AAU and the many club volleyball teams that stepped up to the challenge to make this year’s Dig Pink campaign to ‘ fund the fight’ one for the record books! Their commitment toward changing the course of metastatic breast cancer is inspiring and energizing.”
Learn more about The Side-Out Foundation at https://side-out.org/.
###
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelsey Burr, AAU Public Relations
e: kelsey@aausports.org
c: 407-225-5692
Gabrielle Gallagher, Side-Out Foundation
e: gabrielle.gallagher@side-out.org
p: 571-409-1878
ABOUT SIDE-OUT FOUNDATION
The Side-Out Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 2004 to make a significant and identifiable impact on the lives of metastatic breast cancer patients and their families. The organization takes an innovative approach to provide solutions for those specifically with metastatic breast cancer with the goal of becoming a source of hope for all those living with breast cancer in search of answers and treatment options.
The foundation’s precision medicine research matches patients with treatments and uses the outcome data produced from this to draw conclusions, challenge the foundations of cancer care, and change the trajectory of the disease. The organization’s educational and community-driven programs Dig Pink® and Ambassador Program are built on creating advocacy for the metastatic breast cancer community, engaging a new generation, and funding Side-Out’s revolutionary research.
ABOUT THE AAU
Founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in sports, the AAU philosophy of Sports For All, Forever is now shared by more than 700,000 members and 150,000 volunteers nationwide. The largest sport in the AAU, volleyball, has over 200,000 members with more than 300 licensed AAU indoor and beach volleyball events. The AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships is the marquee annual event for the fastest-growing sport in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). The 2022 event featured approximately 4,450 girls’ and boys’ teams across 56 divisions of competition.
