PINK OUT

Continued from page 20 of Balloon Joy of Southgate donated balloons and a basket with a gift certificate for the raffle.

Anderson player Gabby Jones and Roosevelt’s Aubrey Lyons designed the jerseys, which were ordered and delivered quickly by local vendors.

Dr. Mabry, who lives on Grosse Ile, said she was honored to be selected as the recipient of 70 surgical caps made of fabric, 70 heart pillows that help patients feel more comfortable after surgery and 70 lanyards that are used to assist patients after surgery – all funded by the game’s proceeds.

Anderson assistant coach Dan Neil was especially touched by the announcement that Mabry’s office was chosen to receive the items. Neil’s wife Carol is a breast cancer survivor. Mabry was her surgeon.

“My wife was diagnosed in November 2020,” Neil said. “It was an emotional roller coaster – one of the worst feelings ever. Early detection and mammograms were the key. We can’t preach about it enough.

“She was fortunate that they found it in early stage two during a regular routine checkup. It was cut out by surgery, and she just had radiation after that – and thankfully no chemotherapy.”

Neil had Carol’s name on the back of his shirt.

“My wife was proud to be there,” Neil said. “It was a cool moment. She was over the moon. We know how special Dr. Mabry and her staff are. They’re fantastic people. We can’t thank them enough. We owe my wife’s life to them.”

Anderson senior Hope Solo called the game “a really good experience.” She said she and her teammates “really wanted to do it.” Solo honored her Aunt Cheryl who had undergone breast cancer before she was born.

“It was a really fun game to play,” Solo said. “We’re all super close with the Wyandotte girls and especially since we were fundraising for a good cause. We had no idea the grounds crew was going to pink out the field until we got to the field. That was so special. The bleachers have never been so full. It was a really good experience and it did raise a lot of money.”

Junior teammate Taylor Mydlarz said the game created a lot of energy and said she was glad she pushed for it, especially knowing people who have