Today the Pearl River Central High School softball team will host their inaugural “pink out” game as a way to raise breast cancer awareness.

Theresa Lauzon, mother of team member Shelby Lauzon and softball booster club member, said the idea originally started out as a way to raise money for uniforms and field maintenance, but quickly grew to be a fundraiser for the Susan G. Koman Foundation.

Lauzon said the team was originally tasked with selling at least 15 shirts to raise money and reach their goal. If they reached their goal, they would receive a free hoodie.

Instead, the players sold close to 300 shirts prompting them to donate $2 of each shirt sale to the Susan G. Koman Foundation, Lauzon said.

First-year PRC softball coach Tony LaBella said when the girls approached him with the idea, he thought it was great.

The team ended up donating $457 to the foundation, Lauzon said.

Lauzon said the team invited faculty and staff who successfully battled or are currently battling breast cancer to be recognized at the game.

Pearl River Central High School Superintendent Alan Lumpkin will emcee the event and Pearl River Central Lower Elementary Assistant Principal Jennifer Teal said she may speak before the game.

Teal is a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed at the age of 32 years old. She said she wanted to get involved in the game because she wants the young girls to see that cancer is not the end.

Teal said she is honored to be involved in the game.

“Sometimes I get caught up in my daily chores and I forget to stop and thank God for my second chance in life,” Teal said.

The PRC softball team will not be the only team on the field Saturday wearing pink shirts.

The Picayune High School softball team also purchased “Pink Out” shirts to wear during the game, Lauzon said.

The shirts the team sold are pink with a message stating, “Think Pink, Bleed Blue.”

“It’s just not recognizing October as breast cancer awareness month anymore, it’s recognizing it year round,” Lauzon said. “If you don’t spread awareness then how are these girls going to know how to take care of their bodies.”