By Whitley Rives

For The Observer

The Mississippi RiverKings spotlight breast cancer awareness and the American Cancer Society as the MVP (Money-Volunteers-Publicity) Non-profit organization on Sunday, Feb. 14, during the RiverKings’ 3:05 p.m. game against the Wichita Thunder at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven.

The RiverKings feature a different charity, cause or non-profit organization for each of their 32 home games. The team's MVP Program is designed to help non-profits raise money, recruit volunteers, and generate publicity about their missions.

The Feb. 14 game will feature pink jerseys worn by the players and auctioned off live after the game, with the proceeds going toward the local American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life event and youth sports. "Relay" is the largest annual fundraiser for ACS on a national level.

"I enjoy working with Relay For Life and ACS because I feel like I am playing a part in helping to cure cancer," said Raney Alford, DeSoto County Relay chairperson. "When I started working with the Olive Branch YMCA we formed a team our first year of being open. I've since left YMCA, but have continued to work with ACS.

"When I was 18 months old I lost my grandfather to cancer, and I was never able to meet my dad's mom because this horrible disease took her away from this world before I was born.

"I have since lost others in my life to cancer as well. One of the last was one of my husband's very best friends and a groomsman in our wedding. He found out in May of 2009 that he had cancer and passed away September 11, 2009.

“His death was very hard for me as well as my family. He had so much to live for, yet did not receive the warning signs of cancer. I feel with ACS around, that one day in my life time I will be able to say that there is no more cancer in the world."

ACS was founded in 1913 by 15 well-known doctors and business leaders in New York City. During a time when cancer was not mentioned in public, ACS helped get the word out about this terrible disease. The efforts of these men made a great impact on public health. 

Today, ACS is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

"ACS plays a huge part in cancer research and programs for patients and their families," Alford said. "Additionally, ACS is able to give cancer patients and their families resources and education that were once unavailable.

“For instance, ACS provides resources in order to purchase wigs and other services or needs at reduced cost or no cost at all. ACS also has multiple ‘Hope Lodges’ in many cities that allow patients and families receiving treatment to stay at no charge. We will soon have one of these in Memphis. ACS is a great source of service, education and support for cancer patients."

In DeSoto County, Relay For Life is held every year at Snowden Grove. This year the event is taking place starting at 6 p.m. on May 21 and runs overnight through 6 a.m. of May 22.

"We will be fundraising all night long and would love for anyone who wants to come by and celebrate another birthday of a cancer survivor with us," Alford said. "People can get involved now by volunteering to raise money, participating on a team or just coming out the night of Relay and celebrating with us. Teams are onsite the night of Relay fundraising by selling food as well as other items."

The Mississippi RiverKings are supported by their community partners, season ticket holders, fans, and by program-related investments of the Maddox Foundation, an independent private foundation based in Hernando.  The Foundation supports the team's programs that increase investments in area charities and their causes.

To find out more about the RiverKings, call 662.342.1755 or visit them on-line at www.riverkings.com.

Former Mississippi RiverKings player Garrett Larson takes a moment to pose for a commemorative photo with Carolyn Whitney (immediate right of Larson) and other members of the Sisters Network Memphis chapter breast cancer survivors support group, who made the highest bid on his jersey during last year's "Pink in the Rink" night. The funds raised from the jersey auction - over $7,000 - were split between American Cancer Society and youth sports. This year's Pink in the Rink is Sunday, Feb. 14, and will feature another charity jersey auction for breast cancer awareness. (Courtesy photo)