STANFORD, Calif. - In recognition of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Stanford donned pink and white jerseys in a 3-1 win over No. 14 Miami on Oct. 19.
Below are the fan submissions which were picked to be represented with a name or phrase on the back of the team's jereseys during the Pink Match.
Dr. Bloom worn by No. 3 Anna Pringle:
"My colleague, Dr. Jody Bloom, is a breast cancer survivor just celebrating five years cancer free! She is an amazing human, mother, teacher, and spends her free time mentoring middle schoolers to volunteer their time at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco. I am honored to call her a friend and hope you can recognize her on this special day." - Denise M. Lujan
KMP 2X Champ worn by No. 5 Jordyn Harvey:
"My mother Katherine M. Pierce (KMP) has survived breast cancer twice (2x Champ), going through chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, reconstruction, and a near-death blood infection the first time, and then radiation treatment the second time (since she did not want to re-experience what she went through the first time). After discovering a lump on her own that was missed during a routine mammogram six months beforehand, she was forced into retirement the first time. She had a clean bill of health for many years, but then discovered another lump many years later, which turned out to be her second bout of breast cancer. Despite everything she has faced, she is still active and going strong at age 84. She is the strongest person I know and helps everyone she can, even when she is the one who may need to be helped. She is a fighter and a giver, and a large influence in how I have chosen to live my life of service in the Navy, then as a teacher, then an FBI Agent, and now as a coach. We should all strive to be as good of a person as my mom." - Andrew Pierce
FOR HER worn by No. 6 Koko Kirsch:
"I want to honor a family friend who is a breast cancer survivor and an incredible source of resilience. Her battle with cancer became more complex when genetic testing revealed she carried a BRCA2 gene mutation. This discovery was life-changing, as it provided a critical piece of information for her relatives, allowing them to undergo genetic counseling and take proactive steps to manage their own health risks. Witnessing the direct, life-changing impact of this genetic diagnosis was one of the reasons I am pursuing a career in genetic counseling through the master’s program at Stanford University. I want to help other families navigate these complex and emotional situations, turning a difficult truth into a powerful tool for hope and prevention." - Elly Qunell
Ruth Virgen worn by No. 7 Julia Blyashov:
"My mother-in-law has been such a big part of my life. When my father passed away, I became orphaned at 19. Being in college, hearing classmates talk about their parents visiting, calling, or even buying them dinner always struck me so deeply, I had to pretend I didn’t care. The hardest part of losing your parents is knowing that no one else can love and care for you in the same way, even though many people may love you. But my mother-in-law showed me otherwise. She constantly calls to check in, sends me good morning and good night gif messages, offers all kinds of advice, and even surprises me with outfits to wear or snacks to try. She has truly been like a second mother to me. When I first heard she had breast cancer in 2023, it was terrifying, but deep down, I knew she had the strength to fight it. By the end of 2024, after treatment and breast removal surgery, she finished her journey with incredible courage. She is such a caring, selfless woman, always thinking of others, even at her most vulnerable. Through it all, she showed me what it means to be resilient, loving, and full of grace." - Ruby Hernandez
Allison Ku worn by No. 8 Sidney Duncan:
"Allison is an English teacher at Legacy Magnet Academy and a Stanford alum who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She has shown me nothing but kindness with every interaction, even gifting me a bicycle as a departing gift, which meant a lot as an FLI student." - Jaime Rebollar
Fight worn by No. 9 Spencer Etzler:
"I have worked with my sports psychologist for one and a half years. In that time, she has always been a staple of reminding me who I am, why I love to swim, and is a constant beacon of support as well as an irreplaceable coach. Earlier last year she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and has been fighting for nearly a year now. Even with three kids and a working husband, she makes time, whether it is later at night, or on the weekends to meet with me virtually and make sure I'm getting what I need. She has made such an impact on my career, mental toughness, and life, and I want to honor her every way that I can. Keep fighting Emily!" - Jason Zhao
Genara Ibarez worn by No. 10 Kaci Demaria:
"Genara Ibarez was my mom who was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 4 when I was 5 years old. She passed away when I was just 10 in 2021. She was such a strong woman and always tried her best to be the best mom to me. I deeply miss her and wish she was still with me. When she was in better health, she would spend quality time with me as much as she could trying to teach me things a mother would. I didn’t quite understand some things about cancer as I was young, but she tried to put it in the best way possible what was going on with her. I had taken multiple trips to the hospital and been there to her check-ins, appointments and surgeries, always wanting to be by her side. I wish I had gotten to do a proper goodbye but I hope she passed away peacefully and that she’s in a much better place. I wished she could see me play the sport I love. It’s something I find that I have a place in after feeling lost and out of place since the death of my mom. Her presence has been such a huge absence in my life." - Kimberly Viana Ibarez
Aunt Karen worn by No. 11 Lizzy Andrew:
"My Aunt Karen always told me I was the daughter she never had. She shared with me the appreciation of art, the love of the canine species and the importance of listening to opinions that are different than our own. When she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, we went to get matching tattoos in Celtic that mean 'there is no strength without unity' because she knew the importance of family and deriving strength from the ones who love you." - Mackenzie van Loon
Ghiozzi worn by No. 12 Logan Tusher:
"I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 42. I had no symptoms, it was my very first mammogram. Talk about being scared to death. My daughter was a junior in high school and I missed so much of a very important year. My husband was recovering from a very severe foot injury... he was non weight bearing for 6 months. We were quite the team. Yet, we SURVIVED! I survived surgery, chemo, and radiation! I couldn't have done it without my family. And we are so grateful to be sitting together to be cheering on the Cardinal this season! Thank you for this opportunity to share my story of heartache, strength, determination, and courage. My daughter played volleyball for years and her number was 13! We have loved coming to cheer on the Cardinal for many years and finally had the chance to become season ticket holders! Go Cardinal!" - Danielle Ghiozzi
Ariana Gamino worn by No. 13 Elia Rubin:
"A long-time Stanford employee and friend of mine, Ariana Gamino, died about a year ago, after loosing a battle to metastatic breast cancer. Here is how our team remembered AG:
To many of us at Stanford Transportation, Ariana, or ‘AG,’ was the epitome of a class act. She joined Stanford Transportation in 2003 as a temporary employee when she was 18 years old. Over the course of 21 years, AG worked her way up to Stanford Transportation’s retail supervisor.
'From a young age, she demonstrated incredible responsibility and consistently made thoughtful, sound decisions,' said AG’s supervisor, Stanford Transportation’s retail team manager Ana Lorenzana. 'Having worked together for over 21 years, I can truly say she was one of the most remarkable individuals I’ve ever met. AG was kind and generous, always seeing the best in people, recognizing their talents and strengths.'
AG was nicknamed 'the Brain' by the retail team for her ability to welcome new colleagues, impart her deep institutional knowledge, and find a solution even when none seemed to exist. She was also known for her grace. 'In seven years of working together, I never saw her stressed out or not drop whatever she was doing to help someone,' said colleague Carmen Belluomini. AG was always a bright light in the Transportation department. She leaves her young daughter a legacy of intelligence, hard work, and a positive attitude.
Your LBRE family will never forget you, AG." - Erin Fieberling
DONNE worn by No. 14 Malyssa Cawa:
"My jersey submission is in honor of my auntie, who was like a second mother to me. She was the kind of person who showed up for everyone, always giving more love, more patience, and more care than seemed possible. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, it felt like the ground shifted under our family. Watching her fight through treatments with such strength and grace taught me what real courage looks like. Even on the hardest days, she found ways to laugh, to comfort us, and to remind us that joy was still possible. I want to honor her not just for the battle she fought, but for the countless ways she shaped my life with her love. She taught me how to be resilient, how to keep perspective, and how to care deeply for others. Having her name on the back of a jersey would be a small but powerful way to carry her spirit forward and remind others of the impact one incredible woman can have." - Alana Song
Magic is in You worn by No. 15 Ipar Kurt:
"I found my lump at 37 while trying for a third baby with my husband. Doctors told me it wasn’t cancer. When it was diagnosed six months later. I lost the chance to have any more children - an ache I privately carry. I went through it all in front of my darling two daughters. Surgeries/chemo/radiation. Meds, side effects, hair loss and sorrow, despair and desperation. But I fought like hell. And in May 2026 I’ll be five years cancer free. As I’m typing this, I’m crying. That was the worst time of my life. But I have my life back now and it’s all thanks to my daughters and husband, and my own will to surrender to the journey. When I finished treatment we flew to Kauai for a family vacation where I got 'The magic is in you' tattooed on my inner arm. A message I instilled everyday to my girls. And a reminder to myself when fear tries to creep in. Thanks for this opportunity to listen to my story. I grew up going to Stanford volleyball camp and games with my father. I got the chance to bring my daughters for the first time this year with my 85 year old father - who is also an alumni . We love you Stanford." - Anne-Marie Costa
Noni worn by No. 22 Erika Sayer:
"My mom (or Noni as the grandkids call her) is fighting breast cancer for a second time. The first time was 20 years ago - she had a lumpectomy and radiation, which caused disfigurement. She had just finished a long awaited reconstruction to correct the damage from the radiation and lopsidedness of her breasts when she got her most recent diagnosis. She just finished five rounds of chemo and two full weeks of radiation and she’s doing great. She also survived a brain tumor in 2008. I have never met anyone more resilient or determined and somehow she still keeps an insanely positive attitude. We used to be season ticket holders (before Covid) and we would always participate in the pink jersey auctions. Thank you for continuing to highlight this disease, specifically breast cancer." - Ceia Apra
Trust Stanford worn by No. 24 Logan Parks:
"In 1980, 45 years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. This was the first of four different cancer diagnoses in subsequent years. My Stanford treatments have included surgery and a year of chemo. Cancer doctors today say the chemo drugs used to successfully treat my breast cancer are known only in history books. In 1980, people didn’t talk about a cancer diagnosis or treatments. Today we know patients need the full support of families, friends and the community. Nineteen years ago I decided to support breast cancer by running a Susan Koman golf tournament for the Santa Teresa Women’s Golf Club. Later I moved our focus to Cancer CAREpoint, a local support group in San Jose. They support all types of cancer but the majority are dealing with breast cancer. At our tournament the ladies all wear pink and have been very supportive of our efforts. We now have raised $95K, an amount I never thought possible. Since 1980, I have had successful surgeries, chemo, radiation and currently immunotherapy for my other cancer diagnoses. All of my treatments and care have been with Stanford. I am blessed to live near Stanford and the great medical care they provide. My advice to cancer patients is keep a positive attitude, live life as normally as possible, welcome the support of family and friends, and trust your Stanford doctors. Keep fighting, cancer. Research continually improves diagnosis and treatments." - Cathy Priest
Grandma Carolyn worn by No. 30 Taylor Yu:
"Grandma Carolyn passed from breast cancer in 2012 and was a grandmother to many beyond just her own grandchildren. She served countless youth in Montana through United Methodist camping ministry and was a light in all of our lives. Two Methodist campers, Annika and Isaac Nehring, are undergrads at Stanford and big college volleyball fans. We’d like to honor Carolyn and gift the jersey to our close family friend, fellow Stanford volleyball fan, and Carolyn’s biological granddaughter Carly Straub." - Isaac Nehring
Rell worn by No. 33 Zaria Queen:
"Rell Sunn, also known as the Queen of Mākaha, lived gracefully in both inspiring communities across the island of Oahu, Hawai'i, as well as furthering the professional growth of women's surfing. Rell Sunn was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1982, but continued fighting with a passion to grow the women's surfing setting and spread her aloha to those who came her way. Rell Sunn was my grandma who passed away in 1998 at the age of 47, but her love and drive to pursue kindness and inclusion will never be forgotten. Her legacy continues to this day throughout the nonprofit organization 'Rell Sunn Educational Fund,' where my family and the Native Hawaiian community help hold an annual surfing competition for the children of Mākaha named the 'Rell Sunn Menehune Surf Contest,' as well as to raise awareness about breast cancer." - Kaumana Carreira