Each October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this year area high school football players will sport pink reminders to their loved ones of the importance of receiving mammograms.

Wheeling Hospital, the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference, and Scholastic Sports Marketing have collaborated to provide pink ribbon decals to all 49 OVAC teams. The decals will be placed on the back of football helmets.

“The pink ribbon is nationally recognized to symbolize breast cancer awareness,” said Ronald L. Violi, Wheeling Hospital chief executive officer. “Athletes donning the decal are reminding their moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and other loved ones of the importance of receiving an annual mammogram.

“The players and their coaches, athletic directors, and school administrators are making a statement – detecting breast cancer in its early stages significantly increases the chances for survival. Simply put, the athletes and their mentors really care.”

OVAC Executive Secretary Tom Rataiczak said he will mail decals to the schools who could not attend a recent news conference where other decals were distributed.

“Many of coaches and athletic directors could not attend,” said Rataiczak, “But, we are proud of all the schools who have volunteered to place the decals on their helmets. The OVAC is more than just sports. We recognize our role in contributing to the community whenever we can, and the pink ribbon decal project certainly is an important way to do so.