Gunnison Tough Pink in the Rink

What Pink in the Rink Means to Me
Hello All! My name is Marina and I am a fifth Generation Native from Northern NM who had
the opportunity to attend Western State College (Western State Colorado University) from 2011 to 2014. During my three years in Gunnison, I was blessed to meet a lot of wonderful people in the community, especially the hockey community. They extended their greetings with open arms and never looked back, making me feel like part of the family. It wasn’t long before I was not only playing but coaching as well. My relationship grew on and off the ice. When my undergraduate was all finished, I returned home to complete my masters program but always returned any chance I had to play with my extended family. What many people don’t know is shortly after I was born, my grandma was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and passed when I was about a year old. I never really got to know her. Since then, I have had many friends at home and in the Gunnison area who were also diagnosed with Breast Cancer and I wanted to do whatever I could to help. Pink in the Rink not only brings families together to fight for the same cause but it gives you a way to contribute to that cause. Helping not only close friends and family but others who need it the most. Having support and assistance makes a big difference and Pink in the Rink is that difference. I play in the tournament because I want to be able to help and contribute in supporting cancer patients in any way I can even if I don’t know them personally. I also play because I get the opportunity to be with some amazing people that I consider family and friends, some who have already fought and won against cancer. Knowing that I can help my extended family even if I cannot be physically present is a big difference. I would never miss this tournament and will continue to play in it because it allows the fighters, locals who matter to us, to continue their fight and focus on what matters most. Puck Cancer!

– Marina Meneakis

Pink in the Rink does so much for our awesome valley. Getting to play a weekend of hockey with strong, fun women from all corners of our community gives us a chance to connect in ways we don’t otherwise and then we can take those connections and that energy back to our work lives and our families. Supporting our locals fighting breast cancer is another huge benefit of the event – having heavy medical issues in the middle of glorious nowhere is challenging logistically and financially and Pink in the Rink helps share that burden beautifully. When women in a community are connected and strong, everyone benefits. YES Pink in the Rink! 

-Leslie Nichols

For me, Pink in the Rink is the most special event that Gunnison Tough does. Having survived breast cancer, and being a hockey player and coach in the Gunnison Valley, I have felt the love and support of our community. And it’s even more meaningful playing a game I love, with amazing teammates, all to raise money for people that are struggling through an awful time in their life and need support.

-Lisa Lynch

I am Amy Bright; a local breast-cancer survivor, grateful recipient of GT support, and goalie for Pink in the Rink hockey tournament put on by Gunnison Tough. The Pink in the Rink tournament is my all-time favorite ice hockey tournament and I have played in this tournament from its inception, except in 2017. This tournament brings together women in our valley who love to play hockey and have big hearts for helping GT provide support for friends and neighbors who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Many of us have played together for years. My hockey friends are beloved to me and are part of my extended family. The overall atmosphere of this tournament is unlike any other, with spirited and fierce contests on the ice dissolving into hug fests and beautiful camaraderie as soon as the game ends, and occasionally on the ice, as well! It is truly uplifting to feel the outpouring of love and good will toward each other (no matter which team you’re on) and to know that the ultimate goal of supporting our local girlfriends in need is firmly in mind! One of the things I really Love about the Pink in the Rink is the range of age of the players, from teenagers to gals in their sixties. Last year we had several pair of Moms playing with their daughters, which was beautiful! Everything about this tournament is beautiful. And the best thing is, the funds raised go directly to help our local girlfriends!

My relationship with GT became personal in 2017 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer just before the Pink in the Rink tournament. That was an emotional tournament for me. I was signed up and excited to play. The phone call with my positive diagnosis changed things. Heidi was incredibly supportive when I called to tell her, and she provided me with lots of GT gear…. which I wore and wore and wore. Due to my diagnosis I had to watch, cheering from outside of the glass while my fellow players ripped up the ice! Between every game I received a million hugs, and everyone had encouraging messages of support. I watched every game, with my handmade sign of glitter breasts and Rah-Rah messages, bright pink coat, and hat with a long pink tassel. PINK! I was stopped for speeding when I was on my way to the championship game, not wanting to be late and having a heavy foot from my excitement! I explained my situation to the Officer and he let me go with a warning! After the championship game, in the locker room with many of my beloved friends, I was given a GT jersey that had been signed by nearly everyone at the tournament. Words of support. Words of Love. Wishes for Luck. Reminders that I was being held by my hockey community, all rooting for my health and recovery. I wore my jersey to my breast cancer surgery. I have a picture of me with it on, with my surgeon, just minutes before I went to surgery. I still have my jersey. It is one of my sacred possessions. My surgery and recovery went very well. I think it was because of my beautiful jersey and all that Love.

After my surgery I became part of a local Breast Cancer support group, arranged by GT. Sharing my breast cancer experiences with other Pink Sisters made a big difference in my progress going forward. I also took advantage of the Wellness offerings through GT’s Make it a Great Day program. Massage, Nutrition, and Mindful Eating, and Orthobionomy are the offerings in which I partook. Each gave me things to practice and work on, which helped me heal and look ahead to how I wanted to make my life healthier and better. I was able to share my wellness experiences with my breast cancer support group, and encourage them to try it, too. I also borrowed Bucky several times, to travel over to Denver for my follow up appointments. Bucky, Tuffy and Becky are vehicles provided by GT for Pink Sisters to use for appointments or other breast-cancer related needs. They each are wrapped with pink and purple signs and messages letting people know that we are being taken care of by GT. I always feel like a hero when I’m driving Bucky!

I have benefitted greatly from the support offered by GT. Playing in Pink in the Rink gives me comfort knowing that I am helping the girlfriends who come behind me, who will be diagnosed in the future, and those Pink Sisters who are currently living with breast cancer. The care and support provided by GT encompasses all of us, is offered for whatever is needed, and doesn’t stop when we have completed our surgery. I am grateful for GT. Thank you, Gunnison Tough, for this tournament.

-Amy Bright

Last year I was invited to fill in as a goalie for Pink in the Rink. I’m always up for more hockey so I accepted with no expectations of anything more than playing some fun hockey with some nice ladies. What I got was a glimpse into the lives of some wonderful women who have been profoundly affected by cancer. I saw how much the camaraderie with fellow lady hockey players meant to them and how much the support of the hockey community lifted everyone involved.

I was also able to play hockey with my wife and daughter. We were proud to play in a tournament that supports such a great cause. Cancer has affected our family much as it has others. I lost my Grandmother to breast and brain cancer and I couldn’t have been more proud to play in her memory. I know she would have been so very proud to see her legacy ladies playing their hearts out to help beat cancer! Be Well!

-Matt Frey

Besides the fun of playing my favorite game with some of my favorite people, I play in the Pink in the Rink because I believe in all that it stands for. I have two close friends who have been recipients of the funds this incredible event raises. I play with and for them every year. I laugh with them, relive our moments of greatness with them in the locker room, and feel gratitude every moment that we are able to share this experience. I cherish this time with them on the ice. Without the support of Friends of Pink, their recovery may have been compromised. I know the expenses covered by Friends of Pink alleviated their stress and worry, helping them conquer cancer for good. Pink in the Rink made this happen. I play in this tournament for all the women in this community who will need Friends of Pink. My friends, unfortunately, are only two of the many who are impacted by breast cancer, and I play to make sure we take care of all of our sisters who will have to engage in this fight. Pink in the Rink needs to continue for the comradery and fun bringing women who share a common purpose together creates. Puck Cancer!!!!! 

-Lisa Danos