Fresno State Athletics
Pink Night Special For Farley
2/16/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 16, 2012
By Theresa Kurtz
tkurtz@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - On Thursday night the Save Mart Center was full of pink as the Fresno State women's basketball team celebrated "Pink Night" raising awareness for breast cancer. The Bulldogs wore pink jerseys and even pink shoelaces.
It is the second year the `Dogs have sported the color pink on game day and it's a night that has become very special to sophomore Bree Farley. Farley was five years old when her parents informed her and her three siblings that their mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
"I remember my parents sitting me down and telling me that mom was going to be sick for a little while and that we had to be on our best behavior to help her recover," said Farley.
The Australian native remembers her mom being strong through all the treatments and throughout the road to recovery.
"I remember her going to treatments and being a bit under the weather, but she made it as normal for us as possible," said Farley. "She still made our breakfast and sent us off to school and put on a happy face while doing it."
Farley felt that because she was so young when her mother was diagnosed that it did not have as big of an impact on her as it did her siblings. Farley's oldest sister was 12 years old at the time.
"At the time, I didn't understand how big of a deal it was," said Farley. "My oldest sister had a much better understanding of what was going on."
Looking back, Farley realizes how lucky she is and how quickly her life could have ended up differently.
"On nights like tonight, it's great to bring awareness, but also realize my life could be totally different," said Farley. "My mom was young and beat it. Not everyone is as fortunate as my family."
Farley recalls the moment she realized her mom had won her battle with cancer.
"My dad threw a surprise party for her birthday and she hates surprises," said Farley. "I think that was also the symbol that marked everything was better. We had everyone there and we all knew she had beaten it."
Farley gets to honor her mother and all survivors while helping raise awareness each year with the Bulldogs, but she is not the only family member that has helped raise awareness. Her sister, Lana, found her own way to show support for breast cancer awareness.
"My sister decided to shave her head," said Farley. "She really wanted to do something that would make a difference. She started advertising about it for six months. She donated her hair and ended up raising $15,000."
Farley's mother is currently living cancer free and has visited Fresno, twice to watch her daughter play for the Bulldogs.
"It was a hard time for her and she is so happy now and living life to the fullest," said Farley.
Fresno State will auction off each of the jerseys worn in tonight's game against Idaho. Anyone interested in bidding on one of the jerseys should log onto gobulldogs.com. Bidding starts on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. and will remain open until Feb. 29 at noon.
"We Are Your Team!" The Bulldogs host Utah State on Feb. 18 to finish up the weekend. For more information call 278-DOGS. Listen to home game action on ESPN2 790 AM with Guy Haberman.
