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WEST JORDAN — Baseball players from Judge Memorial and Juan Diego Catholic high schools played in pink and black uniforms this week — not as a fashion statement, but to help raise money for Swing-for-Life.
A little over a year ago, Shelby Abeyta, a sophomore from Copper Hills High School, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer — she was just 15 years old. Doctors performed emergency surgery to remove a 10 pound tumor.
"They had to take out the tumor, the lining in my stomach, and my left ovary," Shelby explained.
Nearly eight weeks after surgery, and numerous rounds of chemotherapy, Shelby stood with other cancer survivors at the 2010 Swing-for-Life softball tournament.
"When I got up there, tears just started coming and I couldn't stop," Shelby said.
This year, the junior pitcher will stand again at the tournament. This time she's healthy and able to play.
No one is happier than Rowland Hall softball coach Kathy Howa, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 and organized the event one year later.
"I am so excited to see how healthy she looks, and that she's going to come back as a player at full strength," Howa said.
Howa's tournament has gone from three teams in 2003 to 30 this year. So far, Swing-for-Life has raised nearly $650,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. And while the money is certainly helpful, Howa's primary focus is early detection.
"Ninety-nine percent of breast cancers are curable when they're found early," Howa said, "and we have to find it early so they have a chance at life."
It's a chance Shelby Abeyta is grateful for.
The ninth annual Swing-for-Life Tournament continues next Saturday at the Cottonwood Complex. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. [CLICK HERE to see a schedule]
For more information on how you can help, email Kathy Howa at kathyhowa@rowlandhall.org.
Email: kaiken@ksl.com
