Savage Storm volleyball is inviting everyone to “dig pink” at this Thursday’s game to raise awareness – and money – for breast cancer research.

The issue takes center court this month, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All Southeastern athletes are participating in a fund drive to go toward cancer research as part of Medical Center of Southeast Oklahoma’s annual walk/run, to be held Nov. 3.

But first thing’s first: Storm volleyball will hold a “pink-out” at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bloomer Sullivan Gym when rival East Central (8-18) comes to town.

“Thursday is our big ‘dig pink’ night,” said SOSU Volleyball Coach Jenn King. “Teams all over are going pink, from college to the NFL. (On Thursday) our girls will be in pink, the coaches will be in pink, and we want everyone here to dress in pink.”

The pink symbolizes solidarity against breast cancer, or more to the point, in favor of research to cure the disease which claims around half a million lives each year. But organizers are hoping to see green as well on Thursday, urging Storm fans to bring donations for the team’s fund-raising goal.

“All of us have a connection to someone who has had cancer,” said Taylor Benner of Flower Mound, Texas, one of the volleyball team leaders. “So we want to do what we can to help the cause. We want to be able to give back to the community, because they have done so much for us.”

The team has raised more than $600 already through a “Get Pink’d” month-long fund-raiser exclusive to the Southeastern campus. For a donation, office doors around the campus have been adorned with pink and autographed by the volleyball team.