Redhawks Go To Bat Against Breast Cancer

NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- If you're looking for something fun and meaningful to do, there is something for you in Bricktown.

Lori McKanna is planning on attending the game. As a breast cancer survivor, McKanna's been cancer free for almost 10 years. She'll be throwing out the first pitch.

"This is my first time to throw a baseball, much less in front of a crowd or at a real baseball stadium, so I've been practicing," the cancer survivor said.

Vivienne Kendall is also practicing. She'll be singing the classic, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the 7th inning stretch.

"My biggest fear tonight is I'm going to sing, ‘Root, root, root for the Cubbies,'" the 2-time cancer survivor said. "That's my habit."

To step out on the field is an honor, especially when the women will be surrounded by ball players dressed in pink. Fans can bid on the jerseys in a silent auction, buying them right off the players' backs.

The Redhawks are going to bat against breast cancer. All of the players and coaches will wear pink jerseys. The first 1,000 fans to wear pink will get a pink foam bat.

"It just shows you they can put aside their masculinity, although I think it's okay to be masculine, and wear pink just to show we're supporting it and bring awareness to the cause," Kendall said.

Breast cancer awareness is a cause that touches so many lives and inspires so many people to truly make a make a difference.

"There is life after breast cancer," McKanna said. "You can have a normal, happy, productive life and you can throw a ball 60 feet."

The women are thankful to be a part of Friday's game.

"I'm very thankful that I'm here and I've got a lot of people to thank and there's a lot of people down the road who are going to be thankful for what people like we are doing now, raising funds for research," Kendall said. "They'll beat it."

The Susan G. Koman for a Cure usually raises about $5,000 at the event, and they're hoping for a big turnout Friday.

All of the jerseys will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to the Central Oklahoma Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.

The game starts just after 7 p.m.