OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics today raised $61,395 on A’s Breast Cancer Awareness Day with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society and Cancer Prevention Institute of California. Since the inaugural event in 1999, the Oakland A’s and their partners have raised more than $1.3 million for breast cancer education and research.
Funds were raised through the sale of special ticket packages, commemorative pins, hats, pink jerseys, heart ribbon pendants, an A's autographed quilt raffle, and fan and sponsor support. This year’s total donation eclipsed last year’s total by nearly 15 percent.
Pre-game ceremonies featured more than 350 Bay Area breast cancer survivors forming a symbolic human ribbon on the field in dedication of hope and survival, and the release of white doves as a symbol of hope.
A portion of the total donation includes the 10th annual "A Gift of Faith" grant, through which the A’s donate $5,000 to a local charity in memory of longtime KTVU Channel 2 reporter, the late Faith Fancher. This year's grant and award were presented to Breast Cancer Connections, a local charity that provides services to those touched by breast cancer.
