By Emily Ford

For the Salisbury Post

Mallory Hodge loves two things: her family and volleyball.

After her maternal and paternal grandmothers both survived battles with breast cancer, the Salisbury High School coach found a way to combine her two passions. She started hosting the Side-Out Foundation’s Dig Pink National Breast Cancer Awareness Rally at Salisbury High—ordinary volleyball games with extraordinary goals of raising money and awareness for breast cancer research.

In what’s become a Salisbury High tradition, Hodge and her players will host the  Annual Dig Pink Rally on Monday, Oct. 12 in the SHS gym at 500 Lincolnton Road.The SHS Hornets will take on the East Rowan High School Mustangs.

Volleyball action starts at 4:30 p.m. with the JV match-up and continues at approximately 6 p.m. with the varsity game. Between games, volleyball players and Hodge will present pink roses to every breast cancer survivor in the audience, including Hodge’s grandmothers.

“I started Dig Pink to raise money and more importantly to raise awareness for breast cancer. Both of my grandmothers are survivors, and it just means a lot to me to see them in the stands,” Hodge says. “This is a horrible disease that can affect anyone, including men. It’s my hope to not only raise money to help find a cure but also to raise awareness for the young ladies participating and everyone in attendance.”

The Dig Pink Rally also includes a raffle with a dozen prizes valued at up to $135.

This year’s prize list includes:

·      Mary Kay and Satin Lips $125

·      Massage and facial from Salisbury Salon & Spa $135

·      Crest Oral B Pro 5000 electric toothbrush from Anderson Dental $120

·      Mary Kay Hand Set in a Thirty-One bag $75

·      Vera Bradley pencil bag and pens from Queen’s Gifts $50

·      Caniche gift card in a mug $25

·      Gift card from Initially Yours by Allison and Brandi $25

·      Greystone Salon & Spa gift certificate $25

·      Rushco gas card $25

·      Free lunch from Sidewalk Deli

·      AnnaCraig gift card $20

·      Cupcake of the Month from Abigail’s A Cake Affair $20

All proceeds from the sale of raffle tickets and pink items like shirts and ribbons will benefit the Side-Out Foundation, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

This fall, thousands of volleyball teams around the country will participate in Dig Pink rallies to promote breast health education in the community, as well as raise funds to further research. Dig Pink events give spectators the opportunity to become involved by making donations to the cause and by pinking out the events—donning pink to show their support.

The term side-out refers to a situation in volleyball when one team wins a point while the opponent is serving, thereby regaining serve or control of play. The Side-Out Foundation hopes to do the same for breast cancer patients, providing them with the support, education and best available treatments to regain control of their lives.

For more information, contact Emily Ford at 704-642-2208.