Two Decades of Impact: Pink Zone, Lady Lions Honor Breast Cancer Survivors at 20th Annual Pink Zone

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Sunday, Feb. 15 marks the 20th anniversary of Penn State women’s basketball’s Pink Zone Game.

The event starts with a pregame ceremony at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Lady Lions’ tipoff against Northwestern at 4 p.m.

The PA Pink Zone is an organization dedicated to helping breast cancer patients, survivors and their families across central Pennsylvania. Its operations have evolved over its years of support for the community, allowing the development of a more personal relationship between the families and the organization.

Currently, Pink Zone’s work is aimed at helping a wide range of expenses families might be facing in their battle. Over the years, the organization has raised more than $3.2 million.

“Our focus is direct support. We provide support directly to patients and survivors as they're going through their battle,” said Trish Fulvio, Pink Zone’s Executive Director. “We pay for whatever they need because one of the things that happens when you have câncer that you don't think about unless you're really close to it, is that your day-to-day living expenses aren’t taken care of. If you have to stop working, it can really be a problem, and people get behind you really quickly. So, that has been our focus for the past several years.”

In addition to the match, the Lady Lions host a survivor reception before the game, giving players and survivors a chance to connect.

This long-run partnership has also sponsored the Lady Lion Basketball Cancer Resource Center housed at Mount Nittany Medical Center.

“We are a place where if someone hears of someone or if they’re going through it themselves and need that extra help, we are a resource for people to call and say, ‘hey, this is what's going on, can you possibly help me?’” said Tammy Miller, President of the PA Pink Zone.

Miller, a survivor since 2001, began participating in Pink Zone events in 2016. She spent many years working as a professional clown, bringing joy into the lives of patients and survivors.

“I'm kind of the one that's out there. I have more pink and more feathers and more rhinestones in my closet than many people,” Miller said. “I like to really stand out in the crowd, because I love to go around and say to the people: ‘Welcome, we're so glad that you're with us.’”

The first Pink Zone match was held in 2007 against the Lady Lions’ conference opponent Wisconsin. In the inaugural match, they were able to raise more than $20,000 by selling t-shirts along with ticket sales.

“It is an amazing gathering of people. Survivors tell me how they look forward to it all year. That's what brings us all together,” Fulvio said. “It's a time for camaradarei for people. And it couldn't happen without Lady Lion Basketball.”

One very emotional moment that happens in every Pink Zone match is the halftime recogntion, when survivors step onto the court through the “pink carpet” and are recognized by fans and families attending the game.

This year, however, the setting is different. This is the first time the Pink Match will be played at Rec Hall.

“I think we're just going to be rocking in Rec Hall, quite honestly,” Fulvio said. “I'm really looking forward to it. Rec Hall is such a historic and special place. So, I am really expecting that we're going to need a lot of tissues. There's going to be a lot of happy tears.”

What started as a single game 20 years ago has grown into a tradition and encouraged not only Penn State to continue hosting it, but also inspired other schools to host similar ceremonies.

“We can't always change what's happening to us, but we can control how we respond,” Miller said.  “Let's just take this, embrace it and celebrate who we are. We've really kind of turned it into a big party, celebrating the people that are there and honoring the people that are not with us anymore.”

PINK ZONE THROUGH THE YEARS