Notre Dame Womens Softball vs. Maryland
Notre Dame softball's signature awareness initiative, Strikeout Cancer, began supporting leukemia awareness in 2011 in solidarity for Irish head coach Deanna Gumpf and her daughter, Tatum, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the summer of 2010. Now an annual celebration, the proceeds directly benefit South Bend's Memorial Children's Hospital (where Tatum started her treatments) and children throughout Indiana who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Strikeout Cancer events include a trivia night fundraiser, silent auction, home run derby and awareness promotions during a Notre Dame softball doubleheader each season. Notre Dame, its opponents and fans wear the official color of leukemia awareness, orange, as a way to show support for families and children suffering from cancer.
Originally published at harpercancer.nd.edu.