Cardinal honors Breast Cancer Awareness Month
STANFORD, Calif. - In recognition of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Stanford donned pink and white jerseys in a 3-1 win over NC State on Oct. 18.
Below are the fan submissions which were picked to be represented with a name or phrase on the back of the team's jerseys during the annual Pink Match.
Cecy Martinez worn by No. 1 Sarah Hickman:
In Honor of Cecy Martinez.
Some people leave an impact on your life simply by being a part of it. Cecy Martinez was one of those people.
Cecy was a wonderful teacher, a dedicated soccer coach, a cherished colleague, and a dear friend. She had a way of making a difference in the lives of so many students and athletes. She believed in them, encouraged them, and helped them see what they were capable of. Her influence reached far beyond the classroom and the soccer field, and the lessons she shared continue to live on in the students and athletes she inspired.
Cecy fought courageously against metastatic breast cancer, but sadly lost her battle in February 2023 at far too young an age. While we miss her deeply, we also choose to remember the incredible life she lived and the love she gave so freely to those around her.
Above all, Cecy loved being a mommy to her sweet two-year old little girl, Jordi. That love was at the heart of who she was. Today, Jordi is a kindergartener at the very school where her mom taught and where so many people loved and admired her. Watching Jordi grow and become part of the school community that loved her mom so dearly is both incredibly special and bittersweet.
Cecy may no longer walk our hallways, teach in our classrooms, or stand on the soccer field, but her presence is still here. She lives on in the students she taught, the athletes she coached, the colleagues and friends who carry her memory, and most of all, in Jordi.
We miss you, Cecy. We love you. And we will continue to tell your story, speak your name, and carry your memory forward.
Your impact was profound.
Your love was immeasurable.
Your legacy lives on.
Love,
Katie Halberg
Betty Baerg worn by No. 4 Joy Udoye:
Betty is my Mom and she is a fighter. She battled breast cancer back in 2005 and I’m so thankful that today she is still with us, 20-plus years later. She had to go through a mastectomy. Her resilience and positive outlook on life is a lesson to be learned by all.
- Donna Baerg Entze
TBraveheart worn by No. 5 Jordyn Harvey:
On August 28, 2026 we lost our friend and colleague Tania Alarcon Montalvo after a long battle with breast cancer. Tania was an amazing woman and physical therapist. She devoted a large portion of her career to treating women with breast cancer and with breast cancer-related lymphedema. She was a fighter and a true brave heart. Even during her treatments she made time for her patients, who also were fighting cancer.
- Jennifer Freestone
Knowles worn by No. 6 Koko Kirsch:
Dana (Shelby) Knowles played on the Stanford women's volleyball team as an undergraduate and later completed her MBA. She is currently battling her second round of breast cancer. Dana's son, John, also graduated from Stanford. Dana volunteers regularly in the community and is an avid Stanford supporter. I'd love to see her name on the back of a pink jersey! Go Card.
- Laurette Beeson
NONNIE worn by No. 7 Julia Blyashov:
My name is Sarah Favre, I’m 14 years old and I live outside of New Orleans, Louisiana. I am humbled to be the only freshman on my high school's varsity team. I’m so grateful to have another opportunity to “win” a jersey for my grandmother, Nonnie.
Nonnie is easily my favorite person in the world. Last October, Nonnie was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Life became very hard for me because my Nonnie is so involved in all parts of my life. She means everything to me. She is one of those people that everyone knows because she touches so many people with her kindness, friendship, and love.
When I was first told about her diagnosis, I didn’t want to talk to anyone because I was afraid they would be as sad as me. On October 21, 2025, Nonnie’s cancer was reclassified as Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. From the beginning, I told my parents I wanted to know everything and for them to be honest with me about Nonnie’s cancer. They honored my request, and have been open and honest from the beginning. I'm grateful for this.
Here we are, almost 1 year since her diagnosis, and Nonnie is fighting hard. She’s received treatment and is now a part of a clinical trial. It’s so much like Nonnie to be a part of a clinical trial so she can help advance research. She lives her life for others. My Nonnie has not skipped a beat since her diagnosis. She continues to power through life making sure everyone she knows and understands how much she loves them. Nonnie is a huge supporter of my volleyball because she knows how much I love it.
- Sarah Favre
Kako worn by No. 8 Sidney Duncan:
My mom Katherine (nickname Kako) has fought off two bouts of breast cancer over the last few decades, which forced her into retirement. She endured a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, lost her hair, and suffered a blood infection during reconstruction. Yet, as she did before cancer, and even after she had to quit working, she continues to help others she considers less fortunate. After so many setbacks, she stills sees her cup as half full. She is an example to all and my personal hero. We should all be so fortunate to have someone in our lives like my mother.
- Andy Pierce
Courage & Hope worn by No. 9 Spencer Etzler:
As a 20-year Stage 3 breast cancer survivor I want to dedicate these words to everyone who has fought or is fighting breast cancer.
During one of my son’s classes at Stanford, he created a breast cancer ribbon using the words Courage, Strength, Hope and Faith. These words highlight the attributes every person fighting this disease possess (even though they may not think so).
• The Courage and Strength to fight every day for yourself and others
• To continue to Hope and have Faith that one day you will overcome this and we will erratic this disease
- Jennifer Denton
Monique=Fighter worn by No. 10 Kaci Demaria:
My sister was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer 13 years ago. She had a mastectomy and 8 rounds of Chemo. Three years ago it came back metastasized. She has been fighting stage four breast/bone ever since. She is a fighter with a positive attitude! I love you, Monique. Even though the side effects are strong, she continues to teach her TK students. She is my role model!
- Jeannette Forrest
Yvette Summers Grateful worn by No. 11 Lizzy Andrew:
I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in May 2025. In August, I learned it had spread to my liver, spine, and brain. Thanks to my amazing care team and legendary oncologist, Dr. Kurian, I am alive and thriving. My support team, known as the Fireflies, have been with me every step of the way. If I had one word to sum up this journey, it would be Grateful. Grateful for my support team. Grateful for my oncologist and care team. Grateful for Stanford and its world-class treatment and care.
- Yvette Summers
Fennell worn by No. 14 Malyssa Cawa:
My Grandma suffered from breast cancer for the majority of my life. For years I didn’t really know what was happening, she had beaten it several times but it just kept coming back and I figured that she was to good of a person for something like that to happen to her.
Eventually when the cancer came back it stayed, she went through hours of chemotherapy again, and was in constant pain while trying to have fun with me and my brother. She was the kindest and most genuine person I knew, she always did everything she could to make us happy.
A few years ago she was bedridden and put on hospice, every time I saw her I felt lucky because I didn’t know how much longer I would have with her. I cherished every moment because she deserved the world and there was nothing else that I could do to help her get it.
A couple months after she went on hospice she died. Finding out was a moment I’ll never forget. I missed her sincerity, her sense of humor, her cooking, the way she did my hair, and the hours of go fish that we played every time I saw her. I missed everything about her, and so did everyone else. Breast cancer took her away from us and the grief that came with that was immense. I want this jersey to honor her memory and her impact on everyone around her, she truly made the world a brighter place and she deserves to be remembered.
- Reagan Fennell
Triumph Together worn by No. 15 Ipar Kurt:
I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2023 and overcame it with the support of my family and friends. True success and triumph comes as a team, together!
- Elane Stock
Dixon worn by No. 16 Ella Andrews:
I would like to honor Christina Dixon, my dear friend -- and freshman year roommate in FloMo at Stanford back in 1990(!) -- who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is currently going through treatment. Christina has always been a source of light and love for those around her and it would be wonderful to honor her strength and compassion as she goes through her new cancer journey.
- Heather Goodman
L. Loeffler worn by No. 19 Simone Roslon:
Loretta fought the good fight against cancer three times. The first was a brain tumor, the second was bone cancer and the third was breast cancer. Despite being left bald and disabled when she was told she had breast cancer (HR positive Her2 Negative, metastatic) she endured treatment and beat that, too. My hero! She played volleyball in college and was a big Stanford fan. She deserves recognition.
- Monica Colondres
JENICHU worn by No. 22 Erika Sayer:
My wife was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in 2021. She battled through chemo, radiation, and surgeries. While on the road to recovery, she was diagnosed with an entirely different type of breast cancer in 2026 in her other breast. While the prognosis for the first cancer was looking optimistic, this new cancer is significantly more aggressive. The treatments have been harder on her this time around. We have been together since 1996 (married in 2001). "Jenichu" is one of my pet names for her, a portmanteau of Jennifer and Pikachu (Pokémon came out when we first started dating).
- Jason Maher
Beu worn by No. 24 Logan Parks:
The person I want my jersey to represent is my Aunt Barbara, who passed away last year from breast cancer. She was a very private person who never wanted to burden anyone, but she had such a special place in our family. She always had a smile on her face, and Thanksgiving was something we looked forward to celebrating with her every year.
My aunt loved music and going to concerts, just like I do. Music is something that makes me feel connected to her. Whenever I pick up my guitar or go to a concert, I think about her and imagine her looking down and smiling on our family.
One of the things I will always remember is what my dad did for her. When he found out she had cancer, he decided to grow out his hair so he could eventually donate it to help make her a wig. My aunt usually wore a hat or beanie, and because he wanted to donate his hair to her, my dad never cut it. His hair eventually grew past the middle of his back! It surprised us all but it showed just how much he loved his aunt and wanted to support her.
My Aunt Barbara was a beautiful and special woman who meant so much to our family. She was my grandpa's sister. I want the jersey to honor her memory, her love of music, and the strength she showed our family.
- Sophie Beu
FOR PROF. MARYAM worn by No. 26 Lilly Wagner:
I am submitting this in memory of Maryam Mirzakhani, the late Stanford Mathematics Professor who tragically passed away from breast cancer in 2017. As the first woman in history to win the Fields Medal, Maryam was a historic trailblazer for women in STEM and an incredibly important member of the Stanford faculty. Having a Cardinal athlete wear her name perfectly unites breast cancer awareness with a tribute to an extraordinary mind who deeply touched the Stanford community.
- Pedram Lajevardi
Bowman-Frye worn by No. 30 Taylor Yu:
I would love to honor my wife, Jenny, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year at the age of 41. She’s been so strong throughout the difficult surgeries. We’re season ticket holders and I think it would be fantastic to surprise her during the pink match.
- Marisa Bowman-Frye
Babcia worn by No. 33 Zaria Queen:
Breast cancer has impacted my life because my Grandma, Lottie Fehring, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately, she had to have one breast removed. Everybody in my family called her Babcia because that means “Grandma” in Polish.
Growing up, I have fond memories of visiting her, where we would always play Chinese checkers and watch The Price is Right! Every time I had a basketball game, she would always be there to cheer for me. Every few weeks, my Mom and I would go and see Babcia. She loved it when people would stop in and visit.
Unfortunately, she passed away on February 27, 2025. She taught me the importance of loving my family, enjoying the moment, and having a positive attitude no matter what life throws at you.
- Zachary Loesl