The Power of Pink
1/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
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There is no doubt that Sarah Patterson's "Power of Pink" initiative has been an overwhelming success, but to Patterson, the most exciting thing is that it continues to grow by leaps and bounds. "I have been so amazed at how the community has responded to this, how it has been embraced at every turn and how it continues to grow day-by-day," Patterson said. " This year, Alabama will host its fourth "Drive 4 the Cause" meet on Friday, Feb. 8 when the Arkansas Razorbacks come to Coleman Coliseum with their pink leotards. It started with a simple idea. Sarah Patterson wanted to help raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer, a disease that has touched the lives of so many women around the world. "I realize that I am very lucky," Patterson said. "Not only to be healthy, but also that I have access to excellent medical care. Not everyone is so fortunate, and I wanted to do something that would help those who need it most." So she picked a meet, Alabama vs. Auburn on Feb. 4, 2005, and designated it as "Drive 4 the Cause". She asked everyone to mark the date and to "Think Pink, Wear Pink" for the meet. It was a simple idea that, like so many Patterson initiatives, became something more, developing a life of its own. Patterson started to talk to the leaders in the Tuscaloosa community about her idea and everyone she talked to got on board, offering advice and support. And then there was the DCH Regional Medical Center, which was quick to see the power of what Patterson was doing and immediately asked what they could do to help. Within the DCH Foundation, the DCH Breast Cancer Fund was set up. The fund is designed to provide disadvantaged women with the means for early detection and treatment of breast cancer. "Every three minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer, but how many women experience problems that go undetected due to a lack of knowledge or limited financial abilities to undergo testing or treatment," Patterson said. "After watching first hand as friends, family members and loved ones deal with the impact of this disease, I felt it was important to use our sport, its visibility, and this event as a platform to help raise the awareness of breast cancer and how women can protect themselves from this disease." When the leotard company Elite Sportswear GK found out what the pink leotards were for, they generously donated them to the cause. Response in the Alabama community was just as swift and just as positive. David DeSantis co-owner of Tuscaloosa Toyota stepped to the plate immediately and has, along with DCH's Vice President of Development Larry O'Neal, been a driving force in growing the "Power of Pink" events to where it is today. "David DeSantis has been a tremendous help in pushing this cause and really helping us promote it to the fullest extent possible," Patterson said. "He has helped us take it to the next level and for that, I am extremely grateful." The "Power of Pink" continues to grow every day. It his hard to go a day in West Alabama without seeing one of the thousands of "Power of Pink" t-shirts provided by DeSantis and Tuscaloosa Toyota. And because of the way Tuscaloosa has taken to the "Power of Pink", women in the West Alabama community have someone in their corner in the fight against breast cancer. "Coach Sarah Patterson's ??Power of Pink' gymnastics meets have provided a highly visible vehicle to raise funds for a very worthy cause ?? The DCH Breast Cancer Fund," O'Neal said. "Through her efforts and initiative the DCH Foundation established the Breast Cancer Fund in December, 2004. Because of her vision and passion in fighting breast cancer lives will be saved. What better legacy can one create during a lifetime?" |
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