October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

On the local level, Miami Trace High School was the site of the Bump, Set, Spike Out Cancer game Thursday, Oct. 3 with their guests, the Washington Blue Lions.

After the freshman and j-v matches and after the teams warmed up for the varsity contest, a ceremony was held.

A few people bravely spoke to the large crowd about their loved ones.

Scotti Quigley, a senior on the Washington volleyball team, was the first to speak, talking about her grandfather, Tom Quigley.

“My papoo started off with stomach pain and that’s all I thought it was. He had surgery and was gone longer than expected,” Quigley said.

“When my grammy, mom and dad explained or talked about how the doctors found invasive cancer everywhere, I didn’t realize how bad it was and I thought he’d survive like the last time he had it.

“My papoo only lasted five weeks and it was the saddest and most stressful weeks,” Quigley said.

“I wanted to see him all the time but I also didn’t because I’ve never seen him so sick before.

“My papoo was my favorite and I miss him more and more every day.

“Having people reach out helped a lot, though,” Quigley said. “Thank you all for helping my grammy and dad.”

Tiffany Williamson was next to speak.

“My sister, Hannah, and I wanted to write this and speak on behalf of our mother, Tracie Oesterle,” Williamson said.

“Our mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in July.

“In August she had a lumpectomy and lymph node dissection. Since her surgery, we are still waiting on a lot of answers and on a plan. Next week she has an appointment to tell us her next steps. Chemo is still a possibility, while radiation is a definite.

“This journey that we’re on together is very new and has happened very fast,” Williamson said. “We quickly became a part of a club that we don’t want anyone to ever have to join. But this club has become an amazing team full of more love, care, support, and prayers than we ever could have imagined.

“Thank you to every single person who was involved in setting up this event, to every single person here tonight for supporting this cause, to every single person who is fighting this fight with us, and to every single person who has prayed and worn pink for our mom.

“This season of life has become a chance for us to grow closer as a family and a community,” Williamson said. “It has also been an opportunity to grow closer to God and to trust in Him more.

“God is good even when life is not and He has helped us along this entire process. Thank you again to everyone for all of your love, support, and prayers. You’ve got this, mom, and you are not alone! We love you!“

The following was read by Miami Trace High School Athletic Director Aaron Hammond on behalf of Rose Glaze.

“Rose Glaze started working at Miami Trace in 1998.

“After completing 26 years of service in public education, she retired this past June,” Hammond said.

“Rose always has a smile to share and she invests in the lives of others.

“On Sept. 5, Rose received word that her medical tests had returned, confirming breast cancer,” Hammond said. “At this time, she is working with her medical team to make the best treatment plan possible.

“When speaking with Rose, she shared that her doctor told her that this is doable and she would be in good hands.

“She said that she told him that’s good because she is not done yet.

Rose, we are behind you and support you on this journey,” Hammond said. “We are grateful for all your years of service in education. In Fayette County, no one fights alone.”

After that, Miami Trace and Washington High School volleyball players dispersed into the crowd to give flowers to anyone who has had or is currently battling this dreaded disease.

There followed a moment when the players of the two teams formed a prayer circle on the floor prior to the match getting underway.

There was a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction to raise money for local families.

A preliminary estimate from a spokesperson for the event told the Record-Herald that $6,000 was raised.