|  | SPOTLIGHT
Billerica Girls Volleyball Team The Billerica Memorial High School Girls Volleyball Team in Billerica, MA is a powerhouse of a team, not only on the court, but also when it comes to fundraising and advocating for breast cancer prevention. In October of 2022 and 2023, they rallied together for their annual Dig Pink Volleyball Tournament to raise over $10,000 for Find The Cause. High school teams around the country participate in Dig Pink fundraisers each year to raise money for breast cancer non-profits, and Find The Cause is so grateful to be chosen by this team. We are honored to share the team's Dig Pink story with our supporters and know they will touch your heart as they have touched ours. |
|  | We spoke with the team's longtime coach, Brittney Apostolakes, as well as varsity team captains, Ella Quin and Lilly Todorova and here is what they had to say! |
| QUESTION
Tell us about the team.
ANSWER
Coach Brittney:
I have been coaching within the girls' volleyball program for eleven years and have been the varsity coach for the last nine seasons. As a Billerica native who played for the team all four years of high school, it’s special to be back and now leading the charge. My coaching staff consists of two former players and alumni of BMHS, Katie Mara and Danielle Nickerson. Our volleyball program has become an extremely popular and sought after athletic program at BMHS. We have an extremely competitive program, as well as being the MVC league champion two out of the last three seasons. During the fall season, the entire program, which can sometimes reach up to 50 girls, is a close-knit squad. The girls spend six out of seven days together at practices and games, sometimes even carrying that over into their days off. The three different levels within our program are extremely supportive of each other, cheering each other on during matches and supporting each other at practices. |
|  | QUESTION
Tell us about the Dig Pink fundraiser and how you learned about FTC. ANSWER
Coach Brittney:
We have been hosting a breast cancer event each season that I've coached the BMHS program. In my nine years as the varsity coach, our events have only gotten bigger and raised more money. Each season we determine one home game in October to host our annual breast cancer match. For the past two years, we have been supporting Find The Cause, which we learned about through Christine Down, mom of a current and a former player. She had been involved with FTC and thought that this organization would be a great way to locally donate our funds from the event. |
|  | QUESTION
The team has raised over $10k in just two years of fundraising, which shows a great deal of commitment and enthusiasm. Tell us your “WHY”. ANSWER
Ella:
We are the women's volleyball team of BMHS, all our coaches are women as well, so we know the dangers of getting breast cancer. It could affect us in the future and there are some people within our volleyball community who have actually had to suffer through breast cancer. Knowing that we are raising money to help prevent that from happening to anybody else is why the fundraiser is such a big deal each year. |
| QUESTION
How do you go about fundraising? ANSWER
Coach Brittney:
Before the event, the program purchases matching shirts for the girls and coaches. Our fans and school community are also able to purchase the gear and we ask families and people within our community to support our efforts. During the event, we raise funds by holding a drawing for the over 40 items we garner from the community, like gift cards and baskets, and we also do a 50/50 drawing.
Lilly:
I fundraise by communicating the message to all of my friends and family who may be able to donate. My parents and I then post on social media and spread the word to coworkers, who also pass the message along to their friends. We all collectively work together to donate and raise money for breast cancer prevention. |
| QUESTION
Tell us about the day of the Dig Pink Tournament. ANSWER
Lilly:
The anticipation of the breast cancer match begins directly after school and continues until the game is over. All three teams, JVB, JVA, and Varsity, come together after school to begin decorating the gym with pink streamers, balloons and posters. It is an exciting day for everyone as we all know how much it means to us. Team parents help out by setting up the tables, gift baskets and selling tickets. Our team wears pink jerseys for every home game in October, and additionally, during our breast cancer match we wear various other pink accessories. This event arguably attracts our biggest crowd, and the bleachers are filled with supporters.
Ella:
When it's time for the game to start, our coach will give a speech explaining why we do this fundraiser each year and why it is so important. The game is the most fun and exciting of the season and the more money we raise, the better it is. |
| QUESTION
What does breast cancer prevention mean to you?
ANSWER
Ella:
To me, breast cancer prevention means all of the ways in which women can try to protect themselves from getting breast cancer and also searching for early signs of it to detect it sooner. |
| Learn more about Find The Cause and our mission on our website! |
| | | Spread the Word! Follow us on social media and SHARE our posts to help raise awareness and support our cause. |
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