Southeast coach finds gain after cancer death

Personal tragedy fuels Southeast Missouri State University volleyball coach Cindy Gannon's fund-raising commitment to fight breast cancer.

Her mother died on July 1, 2000, after a six-year battle with breast cancer. Gannon's loss prompted the coach to found Dig for Life, a program that raises money to increase breast cancer awareness and encourages women to receive regular mammograms.

Dig for Life -- held every October in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- has raised a total of $20,000 in its four years. Half of that came from its fund-raising efforts last October.

"I never thought something so positive could come out of something so tragic," she said Saturday at a reception at the Show Me Center.

Gannon and her volleyball team, whose members helped with the fund raising, presented a check for $10,000 to St. Francis Medical Center during the reception. The hospital contributed some of the money that was raised.

ln past years, Gannon and the team have donated money to Southeast Missouri Hospital to fight breast cancer.

Gannon said her team raises money by securing donations for every "dig" -- or save -- it makes on the court during home matches each year.

Player Jill Miller said she and her teammates have embraced the program, partly to show support for their coach and partly because of the cause itself.

Miller said people are receptive to donating money to fight breast cancer.

At a reception attended by major donors and volleyball team members Saturday, Gannon said she hopes to expand the fund raising in future years.

Gannon said she might try to involve high school volleyball teams in the effort.

"Our goals are unlimited," she said.

Through her program, Gannon hopes to encourage women to get breast examines. The disease can be successfully treated when detected early on, she said.

"The intention of Dig for Life is to keep the spirit of my mother alive and help prevent other women from having to experience this devastating disease," Gannon said.

St. Francis Medical Center officials said they plan to use the money for education and breast cancer treatment. Nationwide studies show that one out of every eight women will develop breast cancer.

Dr. Donna Almond, a Poplar Bluff, Mo., radiologist involved in the program, said some of the money may fund breast cancer treatment for working women in the region whose health insurance doesn't cover such treatment.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123