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Pink is not just a fashion statement
The Starbucks/SCCA Cycling team is going pink for the month of October, but it’s more that just a fashion statement. The team of about 50 riders are trading in their black bar tape for pink in an effort to raise awareness about breast cancer and pre-screening for early detection.
In the local bicycle racing scene, you generally don’t see a lot of pink bar tape. It can sometimes be a color reserved for those who are either a little less competitive or the ultra elite. Regardless, it makes a statement.
The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance has been co-sponsoring the cycling team with Starbucks for two years now. The team holds two races a year and the proceeds are donated to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Survivorship Program (http://www.fhcrc.org/patient/support/survivorship/). This year the team will be hosting a cyclocross race on October 4th at Lake Sammamish State park as part of the MFC Cyclocross Series, but they wanted to do something more.
“We wanted to do something that everyone on the team could easily participate in that was low cost but had a big impact.” Says Brian Tucker, Vice President for the team.
Almost everyone on the team has been affected by breast cancer in one way or another.
“It is quite meaningful for me because we have a friend that was only 3 weeks ago diagnosed with fairly advanced breast cancer. This is just another small way to support her in the fight” says Jeff Reed of the men’s squad.
The hardest effected is teammate Heather Warnke, who lost her wife to breast cancer. “I’m doing it because my wife, Rose Hill, who was in previous seasons our team superfan, died of breast caner on January 8, 2008 at the age of 31. She had first been diagnosed with stage 3b breast cancer at 20 years old. Much of her treatment through the years was at SCCA… But Rose was awesome, she would have chemo on Fridays and then be out at the race with us first thing Saturday morning to cheer and help us with logistics. It was amazing.”
“We hope to spread the word about early detection and getting tested regularly” say Brian Tucker. “SCCA is doing great things to make testing easier, like their mobile mammography vehicle (http://www.seattlecca.org/mobile-mammography-service.cfm). It’s a great conversation starter. And at the end of the day it might save someone’s life.”
For more information on
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance: www.seattlecca.org
Starbucks Cycling Team: www.starbuckscycling.com
MFG Cyclocross, visit http://www.mfgcyclocross.com
Contact:
Brian Tucker, SCCA/Starbucks Cycling
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