‘Volley for a Cure’ Organizers to be Awarded
Melissa Curley and Laura Franklin are volleyball coaches at Oscoda High School. They are also the organizers of the ‘Volley for a Cure’ game, which is a special rivalry pink–out night that members of the community turn out and donate to fight cancer.
At the St. Joseph Ascension Winter Gala in just a couple weeks, Franklin and Curley will be presented with the ‘Spirit of St. Joseph’ award, for their dedication in the fight against breast cancer.
“Melissa and Laura were nominated for this award, because they exemplify all of these values. What they do for the community, what they do with these girls for ‘Volley for a Cure’, and how they live their lives,” said Michelle Bacarella of St. Joseph Ascension Hospital. “They’re just amazing women and we’re just thrilled to be honoring them.”
Their 10th annual volley for a cure game took place in October, and it was their most successful yet. Laura Franklin started the game in honor of her late mother, Diane Pippin, who passed away from breast cancer.
Since then, the game has grown in attendance, donations, and overall community support.
“You just walk into this gym, and it is electrifying,” said Bacarella. “You just can’t believe the excitement just walking in and seeing all of the pink and the excitement from the girls, from the participants, from everybody that’s there, they’re just so excited to be there, and it’s all for such an amazing cause, and to see so many people that come together, it’s incredible.”
For such a tragic and heartbreaking issue like cancer, to have an entire community come out and support the cause shows resilience similar to those who have to fight against it. Even in a rivalry game, the game itself takes a backseat.
“It’s a beautiful thing, even businesses that are in different towns, or the Tawas–Oscoda rivalry, there’s businesses from both towns that give towards this cause, it’s not about a rivalry, it’s about coming together for one hospital that’s local that fights cancer. So we really appreciate it,” said Bacarella.
Curley and Franklin will be honored at the Winter Gala on Saturday, February 18th, at Tawas Bay Beach Resort.
