Packers seek 3rd straight win on ‘Pink Out Night’

Published 10:00 am Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Pink Packers and Cougars will converge on Hass Stadium this Wednesday night to raise awareness of breast cancer and support for The Hormel Institute’s cutting-edge research against the disease.

The second annual “Pink Out Night” fundraiser will happen before and during the Austin Packers football game at 7 p.m. against the Mankato East Cougars. A tailgate party with food and beverages for sale will run from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. prior to the game on the east side of the stadium. Raffle tickets also will be sold for various prizes.

Players will wear pink under their jerseys and pink socks in honor of those who are battling breast cancer and those who lost their life to the devastating disease. Everyone attending the game is encouraged to wear pink to show their support for The Hormel Institute’s breast cancer research and raise awareness about the importance of early detection to save lives.

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“It’s our hope to pack the stands with pink,” said Bonnie Kilpatrick, a parent member of the Austin Packer Football Booster Club, and one of the event’s organizers. “The two teams may battle on the field, but on this night they will unite for the fight against breast cancer.”

Kilpatrick is one of the booster club members who helped launch the inaugural “Pink Out Night” a year ago, raising nearly $800 for The Hormel Institute. Donations will be accepted at the stadium’s east and west entrances as well as throughout the evening. All proceeds directly fund breast cancer research at The Hormel Institute.

Pink “Two Teams Unite for One Fight” T-shirts have been sold as part of the fundraiser, and a limited number of this year’s shirts still might be available for sale at the pre-game tailgate party Wednesday, Kilpatrick said.

October is observed internationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with pink associated with breast cancer.

Money raised by the game will count toward the overall fundraising goal of the 2014 “Paint the Town Pink” initiative in February to raise awareness and support for The Hormel Institute’s breast cancer research. A few other PTTP fundraisers began this month.