Paint the Town Pink • January 26 - February 10, 2019 by Austin Daily Herald

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD ï&#x161;» PAINT THE TOWN PINK

Building on Momentum which will happen at the grandstands of the fairgrounds. For five years, Kathi Finley has been It was taking an event that was a major part of Paint the Town Pink, one thing and turning into a famiserving as the initiative’s chair for a ly-friendly event that works in tanmajority of the event’s nine total years. dum with the demolition derby. And even after so many years guid“It seems like the futher we go on, ing the massive fundraising effort, the more creative people get,” Finley Finley she’s still amazed at how much it has said. “Even the major events, they’ve grown in scale. tried to step it up a notch this year.” “There’s been tremendous growth in the The Pink at the Pump is another event that area,” she said. “We’re multi-state which is has seen a boost, extending from its start in really fun and exciting. The amount of grants Iowa to expand to both North Dakota and that scientist have been able to receive has Missouri. grown.” “We’re really, really thankful,” Finley said. In 2011, Paint the Town Pink got its start “Those big events are a lot of work. The main behind the wildly successful Paint the Rink people that organize … it’s just amazing the Pink, put on by the NAHL’s Austin Bruins here amount of work they do.” in Austin. And this year serves in a slightly bigger And each year it seems as if something capacity to that of years considering that 10 new is added to the mix to further enhance years is right around the corner. everything else that is going on. “We’re super excited for the 10-year anniFor instance, the YMCA, which normally versary next year,” Finley said “We’re going would host a 5K at the Mower County Fairto blow it out the water.” grounds, will step it up a bit with the Rene“Just a big thank you to the community for gade Games, featuring an array of events. their continued support,” Finley added. “WithIt will coincide with the Demo for Pink, out them none of this would be possible.” By Eric Johnson

photodesk@austindailyherald.com

COMING SOON: SAME DAY CLINIC IN AUSTIN.

Never, ever give up hope. Paint the Town Pink 2018

accentracu.org Albert Lea & Austin 800-533-0448

Starting February 6, 2019, Same Day Clinic (formerly Urgent Care) will be located on 2nd Floor Clinic North. Patients can be seen as a walk-in or by appointment. For a list of conditions treated in Same Day Clinic, visit mayoclinichealthsystem.org, select Austin and click on Urgent Care/Same Day Clinic under Services & Treatments. Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin Call 507-433-8758 to schedule your Same Day Clinic appointment.

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD  PAINT THE TOWN PINK

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

Maegan Siebe recounts her own battle with cancer during the Paint the Town Pink kick-off earlier this January during Business After Hours at the Hormel Institute. Siebe is this year’s ambassador. Herald file photo

Support rising in the search for answers Paint the Town Pink roaring into its ninth year of fighting cancer By Gail Dennisen

The Hormel Institute director of development and public relations

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

For nine years, Paint the Town Pink has continued to grow and gain momentum as people in a growing number of communities and surrounding states are ‘”coming together for the cure” to accelerate answers to cancer. Why? People care about finding answers to cancer because people care about their lives, health and best of all, each other. By supporting the innovative cancer research of The Hormel Institute - research that furthers the understanding of breast cancer

and other cancers - answers are accelerated. “We are so thankful for Paint the Town Pink and the important funds that further our goals at The Hormel Institute,” said Dr. Zigang Dong, Executive Director. “All of our research is aimed at learning more about how to either prevent cancer from developing or how to control it so people can live longer, healthier lives.” Right now, eight innovative research projects funded entirely by Paint the Town Pink

grants are in their second year of study: 1. Dr. Rhoderick Rick Brown: “Role of Inflammation in Breast Cancer Initiation and Progression: Intervention Potential by Sphingolipid Transfer Proteins” 2. Dr. Yibin Deng: “Targeting Therapy for BRCA1/Trp53 Mutation-Driven Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in vivo” 3. Dr. Sergio Gradilone: “CILIOTHERAPY: Restoration of Primary Cilia as a Targeted Therapy in Breast Cancer” AUSTIN DAILY HERALD  PAINT THE TOWN PINK

4. Dr. Edward Hinchcliffe: “The role of Repo-Man/PP1γ in regulating chromosome instability” 5. Dr. Luke Hoeppner: “New treatments that promote recovery from radiation dermatitis are necessary to improve the quality of life and clinical outcome of breast cancer patients by alleviating painful short- and long-term radiation side effects to ensure completion of radiation therapy regimens” 6. Dr. Shujun Liu: “The clinical implications of the FABP4-DNMT1 cascade in breast cancer” 7. Dr. Rebecca Morris: “Blood epithelial trafficking in mammary cancer” 8. Dr. Anna Sundborger: “EGFR down-regulation may be a superior strategy to develop efficient EGFR based treatment option for triple negative breast cancer” These projects are only possible because of the seed grants funded by PTTP. The projects explore new ideas to accumulate data so larger studies/larger grants can be possible. This is extremely important because the federal research budget is shrinking, and more and more research must be creatively funded and supported through other avenues. Paint the Town Pink started in 2011 with the Austin Bruins Craig Patrick and a sold out “Paint the Rink Pink.” It was furthered the next year by a band of supportive Aus-

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD  PAINT THE TOWN PINK

The Hormel Institute continues its ground-breaking work thanks the support of many different entities taking part in Paint the Town Pink. Herald file photo tin Convention & Visitors Bureau members (now Discover Austin) who furthered the idea to “Paint the Town Pink” which included other events throughout the town. Paint the Town Pink has now spread with ideas and support coming from small groups, bars, big businesses, companies, or-

ganizations and more, including: •Absolute Energy - Pink at the Pump (Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) •Austin Bruins •Blooming Prairie Cancer Group •Compeer Financial •Fishing for a Cure

•Greater Mower County PTTP Pinko Bingo •Helping Hands - Hormel Foods Corp •Hoot & Ole’s Dutchtown Jumpers •”Hotel California” Eagles Tribute Band Concert •Mayo Clinic Health Systems – Austin •Mower County Fair Board •Pheasants Forever Hunt For A Cure •Pink Pumpkin Patch Foundation •Plunging for Pink •And many, many others in the Austin Community The Hormel Institute helps manage and lend support for PTTP events, along with director Kathi Finley who works with the event leaders to raise funds for the important cancer research activities. “We are a team of people working together for the common cause to fund research so people’s lives are not interrupted or cut short by cancer,” said Gail Dennison, Director of Development and Public Relations for The Hormel Institute. “The people who support Paint the Town Pink have seen the effects of cancer. They’ve either lost a loved one, are battling cancer themselves or someone they care about is, and their desire to support research is the same as ours - to accelerate discoveries so people can live longer, healthier lives. We are really thankful to all who support PTTP and we’re doing this together.”

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

Meet your 2019 PTTP Ambassador: Maegan Siebe Banfield teacher didn’t let cancer define her By Hannah Yang

hannah.yang@austindailyherald.com

As an educator, Maegan Siebe usually gives lessons to her students at Banfield Elementary School. As a breast cancer survivor, Siebe learned a lot about life. For this year’s Paint the Town Pink, Siebe was chosen to be the 2019 ambassador to share her story about surviving breast cancer, living life beyond treatment and to support the ongoing research that takes place at The Hormel Institute. It’s an honor that Siebe doesn’t take lightly. “I hope that I can share how important I found it to be and to stay focused on my life outside of cancer,” she said. “It can very easily take over your entire life and you can lose sight of all the other things in your life. The more I focused on things outside of cancer, the easier it was to stay positive.”

The warning signs

Breast cancer was part of Siebe’s family history. Her paternal grandmother died from breast cancer in her 40s, and as a result, Siebe was taught about the warning signs growing up. Although breast cancer is typically small, painless and found in older women, Siebe found a large, painful lump in October 2013, and was at first in denial. “I was worried, but convinced it could not be cancer,” she said. “After a couple of months of antibiotics, doctor’s referrals, testing and waiting, I was told in December that I had stage 3 HER2 positive inflammatory breast cancer. By the time I heard the diagnosis, I wasn’t surprised, I knew it was coming.” Still, the news stopped time for Siebe. She felt she had to put her dreams of having children on hold and to start having conversations with doctors about what the chances would be after treatment. After continuing her care, Siebe had to take a leave of absence from work because it was dangerous for her health at the time. “It was incredibly hard for me to be away from my students, my purpose,” Siebe said. “Work and my kids became what I focused on during this time, and got through some really hard days. I was devastated. Those days where you feel like you’ve lost your

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

Maegan Siebe, a first-grade teacher at Banfield Elementary, is this year’s Paint the Town Pink ambassador. Siebe survived her own fight with breast cancer and continues strong to this day. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

“Cancer definitely turns your world upside down, but I tried really hard to make it only a part of who I am and not let it change or define me.” Maegan Siebe, Cancer survivor, 2019 Paint the Town Pink ambassador sense of purpose, your identity outside of having cancer were really hard.” However, Siebe said she decided to take control of how she responded to the difficulties of having cancer rather than let cancer’s depressive grip take control of her. “I couldn’t control my diagnosis, what was happening in my life, but I decided I could control my response to everything,” she said. “I decided I was going to try my best to stay positive, focus on everything else in my life, and try not to let cancer change me.”

A new hope in breast cancer research

Five years later, Siebe still recounts how the words “you have cancer,” changed her life forever. Some in different ways, but mostly in ways she no longer takes things for granted. Now a mother to a little girl, a teacher, a friend, and a woman who enjoys to read,

cook and be outdoors, Siebe adds another role: a cancer survivor. “Cancer did give me a renewed sense of positivity,” she said. “I know that I am lucky to be alive and I am so incredibly thankful to be here.” During her treatment, Siebe recounted how much Austin came together and embraced Paint the Town Pink, The Hormel Institute and the efforts to find a cure for cancer. She experienced firsthand the support from the community when she fought cancer. “Paint the Town Pink is an extension of that,” she said. “I have been very lucky to receive all of that support over the last five years. As a person who is not originally from Austin, I can’t tell you how incredible it is to receive that support. Paint the Town Pink has truly motivated people to get involved and help raise awareness and support for cancer research. ...it truly is a community effort.”

The Hormel Institute’s breast cancer research greatly affected Siebe as a survivor. Researchers made great strides in figuring out the best treatments for HER2 and inflammatory breast cancer, and based on new recommendations, Siebe was able to participate in medical research trials. “I know that I have benefitted firsthand from the research that The Hormel Institute has done,” she said. “My daughter is here because of all the medical advances that have helped women continue to have children after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Research is also important to me so that we can find why the outcomes for people are different and what can be done to help everyone have a positive outcome once diagnosed ... we have learned so much, but there is still so much more to do.”

See SIEBE, Page 7 AUSTIN DAILY HERALD  PAINT THE TOWN PINK

One community stands against cancer By Eric Johnson

photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Dr. Rebecca Morris is on the front lines in the fight against cancer. Section leader for the Stems of Cancer lab, her group searches for footholds in the battle against two types of cancer: skin and breast cancer. To do this work, her lab, as well as The Hormel Institute in general, relies on several different avenues to turn down in order to take up that fight, two of which are the driven scientists in her lab as well as the grants that fund the research. So, maybe more than other scientists in bigger city settings, Dr. Morris sees how important Paint the Town Pink is. “Paint the Town Pink is wonderful,” Dr. Morris said. “It’s made it possible for me to get into breast cancer.” Dr. Morris is the recipient of a seed grant, made possible through funds raised through PTTP. It’s Dr. Morris the first year these seed g rants have been hand- “That’s really wonderful ed out and through these to be able funds, scientists can begin to see and the work and the studies follow the that lead to much bigger people grants. who do the The beginning of a garresearch. den of work that will someAnd it day, as everybody hopes, helps us be lead to the end of cancer. thankful for Dr. Morris and her lab are still waiting to see if the support they’ve been okayed for PTTP the grant, in this case from and the the National Institute of community Health. The seed grant from gives us.” PTTP doesn’t guarantee anything, but it does give the scientists a step up toward bringing in the larger grants in a competitive national field. To even be able to apply for the grant at NIH, Dr. Morris first needed to prove that her study was viable, and that required a lot of extra steps.

Pat Humphress fishes with over a 100 other anglers during Fishing for a Cure last year at East Side Lake. Herald file photo “It’s been wonderful,” she said. “We had to learn all these new techniques for studying cells. There were a lot of new tools to learn and finally, at last, we applied for the grant. It was all these things together.” And while the scientists remain hopeful they will get the grant, even if they don’t, they’ve made the strides simply by learning the new technique.

One community

PTTP, Paint the Rink Pink and The Hormel Institute are not seperate entities working toward the goal of curing cancer. Not in one way at least.

On first glance, they are, but really it’s more than that. They are one community working toward a singular goal. It’s that closeness of connection that makes it possible. It’s the scientists and people of the community living in one small, close-knit city that drives the engine. “One of the things that sets us apart from other research institutes is we’re not in a bigger city,” said Brenna Gerhart, development associate at the Institute. “We have more of a relationship with the community.” The scientists, like Dr. Morris, see that as well. In fact, it’s easy for them to see

both sides of the coin. “That’s really wonderful to be able to see and follow the people who do the research,” Dr. Morris said. “And it helps us be thankful for the support Paint the Town Pink and the community gives us.” That close connection helps drive the community toward making PTTP better and better each year, and it makes Dr. Morris hopeful for a future where just maybe, cancer is defeated. “I think so,” Dr. Morris said when asked if she thought a corner might be turned. “Because so many people are working on that problem.”

Siebe: Encourages people to support one another From Page 6 For those who are struggling with cancer or seeing a loved one battling the illness, AUSTIN DAILY HERALD  PAINT THE TOWN PINK

Siebe encourages them to continue to support one another and to help them make it through the dark days to see the hope on the other side.

“I found strength in the people around me and the things that I love to do,” she said. “It was very important to me to try and stay positive and focused on the future. Cancer

definitely turns your world upside down, but I tried really hard to make it only a part of who I am, and not let it change or define me.” THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

Paint the Town Pink Offer!

50% OFF

Two Breast Cancer Awareness Items

Valid through 2.28.19. Limit 2. Discount is off the regular price. No adjustment on prior purchases. No rain checks. Limit one coupon per customer per day. Sale and coupon prices valid for purchases made in Austin.

1305 1st Ave SW, Austin | 507.433.4586 YourSterlingPharmacy.com 8

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD ï&#x161;» PAINT THE TOWN PINK

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

Paint the Town Pink Calendar

For more information, visit www.hi.umn.edu/pttp/.

his year’s Paint the Town Pink fundraiser features numerous fun opportunities for people to give to cancer research. Events, times and locations are subject to change.

Jan. 26

Plunging for Pink When: 12:30-3:30 p.m. Where: East Side Lake This polar plunge helps raise funds for cancer research. Participants are asked to raise a minimum donation amount of $50 in order to plunge into the frigid waters of icy East Side Lake. You can jump as a team or as an individual. To register, visit www. plungingforpink.com. Post-Plunge Celebration When: Starting at 3:30 p.m. Where: Austin Eagles Aerie 703 Whether you are plunging or not, come out and celebrate with the Eagles.

Jan. 28

Austin Girls Basketball Pink Out Night When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Ove Bernen Gym, Austin High School

Jan. 29

Kiwanis Aktion Club Soup/Chili Fundraiser When: 4-7 p.m. Where: Mower County Senior Center

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

Cars come together during last year’s Smashing Cancer Demolition Derby at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Herald file photo All you can eat chicken dumpling soup and chili supper fundraiser sponsored the People First Aktion Club of Mower County. Advance tickets are $7 for adults and $5

for children ages 4 to 10. Tickets at the door are $9 for adults and $7 for children ages 4 to 10. Children ages 3 and under are free. Advanced tickets can be purchased

at The Arc Mower County office. Proceeds will be used by People First Aktion Club and donated to Paint the Town Pink.

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD  PAINT THE TOWN PINK

Feb. 1

“Paint the Air Pink” KAUS Radiothon

Feb. 2

Paint the Rink Pink When: 7:05 p.m. Where: Riverside Arena The Austin Bruins will host the Minnesota Magicians during this special game, which has always had a sold out crowd. Aside from the hockey action, the Bruins will hold a post-game jersey auction.

Feb. 8

Paint the Town Pink Craft Show When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Home Federal Bank Items for sale include Scentsy, Soaps by Dawn, 31, Creations by Peggy and Annette, Little Wendy Bird, SeneGence, Pampered Chef, Essential Oils and Norwex.

Feb. 9

Rose Creek Pink Out When: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Where: Various Rose Creek locations Events begin with a breakfast from 9-11 a.m. at the Creek Bar and Grill. Price is a freewill dona-

tion. The Creek Bar and Grill will also host an all day silent auction from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature karaoke, cake walk and bake sale. Vintage snowmobile rides will be offered at noon, weather permitting, for a freewill offering. A bean bag tournament will take place starting at 1 p.m. at the Rose Creek Fire Station, and a puck shot contest will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Park Tennis Courts, weather permitting. For more information, call Craig Weis at 507-460-0279. Fishing for a Cure When: Noon to 2 p.m. Where: East Side Lake Registration begins at 11 a.m.

Feb. 10

YMCA Paint the Town Pink 5k Walk/Run When: 10 a.m. Where: Mower County Fairgrounds Cost is $15. Smashing Cancer Demolition Derby When: 1-3 p.m. Where: Mower County Fairgrounds Grandstand

You’re Invited to the Annual

Paint the Town

PINK

Craft Show February 8, 2019 9 AM – 4 PM at Home Federal

201 W Oakland Ave. JustCallHome.com/Austin Member FDIC

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD  PAINT THE TOWN PINK

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD ï&#x161;» PAINT THE TOWN PINK

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

Scott Swelland, left, and Miguel Mossberg take to the air for their jump during last year’s Plunging for Pink. Herald file photo

Freeze out cancer 7th annual Plunging for Pink to take place on Jan. 26

By Hannah Yang hannah.yang@austindailyherald.com

Take the dive and suppor t breast cancer research at the seventh annual Plunging for Pink on Jan. 26. Plunging for Pink has become a staple in the Paint the Town Pink’s fundraiser for breast cancer research. Around 200 to 225 jumpers, and many more who come to watch the spectacle, cheer on family and friends as they take a plunge in East Side Lake’s frigid waters.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

Plunging for Pink

When: 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 26 Where: East Side Lake — public lake access, Oakland Place NE and Eighth Ave. NE.

Cody Anderson, emcee for Plunging for Pink, has participated every single year and embraced Plunging for Pink as a way to support breast cancer research and all the efforts being made with The Hormel Institute to find a cure someday. Anderson had one special memory

from all the years he worked as the emcee for Plunging for Pink. “My favorite memory is when I proposed to my now wife at the event in front of the crowd,” he said. “I am the emcee every year, and it was really a blast to share the experience with so many people. We met because of this event, and it only seemed right on that icy lake in front of all those people dressed up in pink costumes, to ask her to be my wife.”

Every year, the goal for PTTP is to get more people involved and to raise more money than the previous year. Plunging for Pink raised more than $58,000 last year and has raised more than $313,000 over the past six years for breast cancer research. There will also be a post-plunge party at the Eagles at 3:30 p.m. There, prizes will be distributed, and there will be music, food and refreshments with all funds going to the Hormel Institute. AUSTIN DAILY HERALD  PAINT THE TOWN PINK

The sun shone on another Plunging for Pink at East Side Lake last year. Herald file photo “The event is always a ton of fun,” Anderson said. “There are some really great costumes that always draw some laughs. Seeing the reaction on people’s faces when they hit the water is absolutely priceless too. Even though I have been doing this for years now, it never gets old.”

What to do

Registration opens at 11:30 a.m. and jumpers and teams are encouraged to arrive early. When registering onsite, a waiver must be signed, and you can receive a Plunging for Pink t-shirt and turn

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD  PAINT THE TOWN PINK

in any donations that were raised toward the jump. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time in advance for your scheduled plunge time that was emailed to teams a week in advance of Plunge day, and plan accordingly for weather conditions. There will be heated trailers, a heated warming tent, but those will be reserved for plungers during their jump. All jumpers must wear shoes and be in proper condition to jump, and safety is the highest priority. Participants are asked to raise a mini-

mum of $50 toward breast cancer research in order to jump and are encourage to raise as much as possible beyond that point. HyVee will be serving alcohol and other beverages at the plunge again this year.

A new jump

Anyone interested in jumping for breast cancer research should visit plungingforpink.com to get themselves and their teams registered. Registration can be done on the same day, but it’d be smoother if jumpers sign up ahead of time, according to Anderson.

Pinky Plunge

This is for those who want to participate, but don’t want to jump all the way into East Side Lake. This newer jump allows children and adults of all ages and abilities to participate. You can step in as far as you are comfortable with. All pinky plungers go at the same time. When registering, choose “Join Existing Team” and select “Pinky Plunge” on the website. They are asked to raise a minimum donation of $30. They can still get a t-shirt and after party meal with the other jumpers.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

The game that started it all Paint the Rink Pink, the game everybody looks forward to By Rocky Hulne

sports@austindailyherald.com

If there is a single game that outshines all of the others for the Austin Bruins, it is the Paint the Rink Pink game. The annual game inspired Austin to start it’s annual Paint the Town Pink celebration and it has a lot of meaning on and off the ice for the Bruins. “For us as an organization, it’s the date that we circle on the calendar,” Bruins co-owner Mike Cooper said. “It’s our big game of the regular season and it’s a big event for the community. It’s a great experience, not only for the community and our fans, but I think it’s also a great ex“I think everyone’s got perience for our something to play for players.” whether it’s for a loved Just like year’s one, or whether it’s the past, the game will fact that it’s go-time right feature now.” a jersey Steve Howard, head coach auction and skits from the players and it will also have the now famous pink ice. It also comes at a point in the season when the Bruins are looking to make a push. With the Bruins sitting in second place, Austin head coach Steve Howard said he wants his team to start to make a name for itself down the stretch. “We can’t just sit back and glide through the rest of the season. We’ve got to go hard,” Howard said. “We’ll be on the road for quite a bit the next few games and it’ll be a good test for us. We’ve got to make sure we go into barns and put an impression on those

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

Austin’s Jaden Shields charges into the Magicians’ zone during the second period last year at Riverside Arena. RIGHT: Ann Forland bids on a jersey during the jersey auction following the Paint the Rink Pink game Herald file photos guys that they don’t want to play us.” As for the PTRP game, Howard knows his team will be up and ready to go. “Everybody gets pretty excited for this game,” Howard said. “I think everyone’s got something to play for whether it’s for a loved one, or whether it’s the fact that it’s go time right now. There’s a lot of things in the second half that have to happen and it’s a big night for us. We need to make sure we’re ready to go that night.” Paint the Rink Pink began in 2010 in the inaugural season for the Bruins in 2010. The team raised $24,680 last season and the Bruins have raised a total of $242,089 over the past eight seasons. AUSTIN DAILY HERALD  PAINT THE TOWN PINK

Bruins players are unified for a cause

Bruin players Connor Mylmyok, left, and Adam Szubert have both had cancer affect their families. The Bruins will host Paint the Rink Pink Night to raise funds to fight cancer on Feb. 2. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Players Connor Mylmyok and Adam Szubert have seen cancer affect families By Rocky Hulne

sports@austindailyherald.com

When cancer strikes a family, the effects can be devastating. But the pain can also be a unifying factor. The Austin Bruins are going to pay tribute to families that have been hit by cancer when they host the Minnesota Magicians in their annual Paint the Rink Pink Night on Feb. 2. This year, the Bruins will have jerseys that feature the names of people who have suffered from cancer. Those names will include relatives of players, community members and Bruin fans alike. “We wanted to something completely AUSTIN DAILY HERALD  PAINT THE TOWN PINK

different from what we had done in the past and we wanted to make it more personable and put a name to go beyond the statistics,” Austin co-owner Mike Cooper said. Bruin defenseman Adam Szubert, who is from Tinley Park, Illinois, has been hit harder by cancer than most. He had a family friend die recently after a seven year battle with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, his grandma, who didn’t smoke died of lung cancer at age 62, he had an aunt die of brain cancer a few months ago and he had a cousin die at age nine after being diagnosed with leukemia at age two. Szubert will wear the name his family friend on his jersey on PTRP night.

Szubert’s mother also had colon cancer at the age of 40 and she won her nine-year battle with the disease. “My mom’s lucky. She survived,” Szubert said. “I appreciate the little things a lot more now. Having my mom around a lot is nice. I see other people haven’t survived the same things that she has. It makes me more appreciative and happy to be alive.” Connor Mylmyok, a defenseman from Wilcox, Saskatchewan, has had to stay strong down in Austin as his grandma battles stage 4 liver cancer up in Alaska. She has had the disease for two years and Mylmyok hasn’t seen her as much as he’d like to, al-

though he was able to make a visit over the Bruins’ holiday break. Mylmyok will wear the name of his grandma on his jersey during PTRP night. “I know she would really like to see us more. She’s been going through surgery which is really tough, but she’s been fighting really hard and I’m proud of her,” Mylmyok said. “She’s done a lot for me, especially when it comes to growing up and me becoming the man I am today. She’s been there my whole life and it means a lot to represent her.”

See BRUINS, Page 18 THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

Bruins: Team has come together through sharing From Page 17 While cancer is a brutal disease, Mylmyok said the Bruins have grown a little closer together as they’ve shared their stories of dealing with it’s effects. “It brings the team together a whole lot and for the families that are affected like mine, it brings our families closer together,” Mylmyok said. “When events like this happen, it really has an impact on not just the team, but our

families and people in the community as well.” Austin head coach Steve Howard said that the Bruins are glad they can give back. “Our organization would like to thank The Hormel Institute and everybody in Austin for making this such a great event,” Howard said. “We really appreciate all of the support. Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody that’s battling this disease. Every year we want to keep raising some money to help fight this cause.”

Bruiser shows off the jersey the players will be wearing this year during Paint the Rink Pink. On the jersey are over 100 names of those touched personally by cancer. Herald file photo

Show your support for

YourSmilePerfected.com ADAMS

507-582-3563 18

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

AUSTIN

507-437-8208

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD  PAINT THE TOWN PINK

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD ï&#x161;» PAINT THE TOWN PINK

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

*Text and data rates may apply.

Want to help kick cancer & fraud at the same time?

Turn your debit card ‘on’ or ‘off’ Set the area where card can be used Receive alerts for all transactions Set spending limits & merchant types

Access Card Details

Card Valet offers you the security and peace of mind that you know where and when your debit card is being used. Fraud isn’t going away, unfortunately, so it’s time to ramp up how YOU take the control back! For every customer that downloads the CardValet app from Feb. 1-Mar. 31 First Farmers & Merchants Bank will donate $5 to the Hormel Institute for Cancer Research.

12/19 TM

STATE BANK

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD  PAINT THE TOWN PINK