Breast cancer survivors to celebrate Pink Zone, each other during annual basketball game

During halftime at Sunday’s Penn State women’s basketball game against Illinois, nearly 500 breast cancer survivors will take over the court at the Bryce Jordan Center for the 13th annual Play4Kay game benefiting the Pennsylvania Pink Zone.

Since 2007, Pink Zone has raised over $3 million in support of its goal of eradicating breast cancer and other cancers affecting women. Money is distributed to beneficiaries that support cancer research, education and empowering survivors.

Sue Woodring, the executive director of Pink Zone, said she believes her role is to educate on the impact a community can have, as well as build long-term relationships that can sustain the nonprofit in years to come.

“The best part of my position is that I get to meet and hear the most amazing stories of survival,” Woodring said.

Nancy Easton, a Pink Zone advisory committee member and long-time survivor who has been involved with the event since its inception, said in an email that she feels good about both the educational and fundraising aspects that the game publicizes regarding breast cancer and research.

“I look forward to how the women participating reinforce each other positively as survivors,” Easton said.

Rene Lanager is another survivor, and this is her first time participating in Pink Zone. She will be receiving her final cancer treatments in April, and looks forward to remaining cancer free.

“Meeting other survivors may be able to give me strength to get through those tough days,” Lanager said. “I feel truly blessed to be a part of this wonderful event.”

More information can be found at https://papinkzone.org/event/2020-pink-zone-game/.

The Play4Kay game will start at 2 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center.