Little Rock Central Basketball Teams Host Pink Out to Support Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
| It was a sea of pink at Little Rock Central High School (LRCHS) on Feb. 10 for the Tigers first pink out to support the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. All of the school’s basketball players wore bright pink T-shirts with the school logo over their jerseys and pink socks. Cheerleaders carried ruffled pink pom poms and signs reading, “brave, fight, cure,” and “hope.”
At a center court ceremony between the junior and varsity basketball games versus Cabot, LRCHS athletic director Earnest McGee explained why rallying the school behind cancer was important.
“It’s been on my mind because so many staff and their families have been affected by cancer in some way,” he said. “We all know someone.”
The school made a surprise donation of $1,000 to the Cancer Institute, all money raised from their pink T-shirt fundraiser and donations collected during games. Both the boys and girls teams participated in the pink out event.
Tom Kelly, Ph.D., associate director of Cancer Research Training and Education and professor in the UAMS Department of Pathology, spoke on behalf of the Cancer Institute.
“Congratulations on this fantastic pink out event,” said Kelly. “None of us wants to hear for a loved one or for ourselves, ‘you have cancer.’ But should this happen, there is outstanding cancer treatment available right here in Little Rock at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.”
Liz Birrer and Rebecca Tackett, co-chairs of the 2023 Be A Part of the Cure Walk, encouraged students and the school community to attend the May 6 walk at War Memorial Stadium.
“All this pink reminds us about the power we have when we work together in raising awareness,” said Birrer. “Thank you for joining the fight against cancer and supporting those warriors diagnosed with cancer.”
Ending with a cheer, Birrer and Tackett shouted, “Go, and be a voice. Fight to end cancer and walk on May 6th to find a cure!”