Cleveland State teams up with WLSA and the Cleveland Clinic to combat breast cancer.

April 19, 2006

Grace Luginbuhl and Kortney Spidell did more than just strike out a combined 12 batters in the Vikings doubleheader sweep of St. Francis on Tuesday (April 18), they took aim at one of the biggest health issues facing women today.  The pair of pitchers joined the rest of the Viking squad as they teamed up with the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Women's Law Students Association (WLSA) and the Cleveland Clinic to hold "Strike Out Cancer Day."

In addition to donating $5 for every batter struck out by a CSU pitcher during the doubleheader, WLSA members collected donations at the gate, sold t-shirts and distributed information about breast cancer and self-exam kits to promote awareness of the disease.

Overall, CSU and WLSA raised $2,222.10 for the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center. The donation was made in honor of a WLSA advisor, assistant professor Kathleen Engel, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Vikings head coach Julie Jones, who is a breast cancer survivor herself, was proud to be a part of the special event.

"What a great way to raise awareness for a cause that effects almost everyone either directly or indirectly," Jones said. "Early detection and continued research are the two biggest keys in the fight against breast cancer. What WLSA is doing is awesome and I'm excited that we could help out."