Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

MISSOULA - Grizzly football fans got dressed for the game with more than a win for Montana on their minds Saturday with breast cancer proving to be the bigger opponent, and there are plenty of winners to praise.

People attending the contest against Idaho State University were encouraged to wear pink in honor of Team Up Montana, an effort dedicated to helping cancer patients in Montana through prevention, education, and treatment.

"Perhaps the people that benefit most from team up Montana are under-insured patients that do have insurance but have high deductibles or great out of pocket expenses, this really helps their dollars go farther for their treatment," commented Lara Shadwick with St. Patrick Hospital

Breast cancer patients and survivors decked themselves out in pink Saturday morning to help bring awareness to the deadly disease they are battling.

"I was asked to be a participant last year but I was too new, I just wasn't ready for that. But a year later now, I'm ready for putting a face to breast cancer." St. Patrick RN Tammy Kelgh.

Kelgh was joined by over 100 other women, who marched onto the field just before kickoff to form a human breast cancer ribbon. "It just feels like a big sisterhood I guess," she said.

"There's just a bond that you feel for other people who have gone through treatment or an experience like that," Shadwick added.

Breast cancer survivors weren't the only ones wearing pink as fans of all ages could be spotted showing their support for Team Up Montana.

"It seems like the Griz fans are big supporters. When they dive in and support something, they really support it big. Everywhere you go there's someone wearing pink - even the men are wearing pink," Kelgh observced.

Wearing pink for many fans meant honoring someone they know who has been affected by breast cancer.

"[It's] for my wife, she's a breast cancer survivor over five years now. It was a difficult time but together we made it," James Baker, who works as a sports photographer said.

My mom actually is a survivor or breast cancer. My mom means the world to me and she's just my idol. We'll do anything to support her," added volleyball coach Shannon O' Keefe.

Team Up Montana volunteers believe most people know someone who has been affected by cancer, and by donating to this local cause, people are helping to find treatment for their own friends and loved ones.

Our own Jill Valley gave fans something to cheer for before the game even started. As part of the Team Up Montana effort, she rode onto the field with Monte and Mo before kickoff, and for the first time in public, revealed the physical side effects of chemo treatments.

You can help donate to Team Up Montana by texting TEAM to 85944. Each time you text this number, $5 will be donated to the cause.