Danielle Zanotti knows she cannot control what happens in life.
She has learned that lesson while growing up in a family that has a long history of skin cancer, and she understands that it could eventually be a battle of her own.
Her mother, Dona Zanotti, has been fighting skin cancer since college.
Furthermore, her grandfather lost the battle.
However, the opportunity on Sunday afternoon to connect the game she and her mother love with cancer awareness is just one of the many ways the Zanotti family is fighting back.
Many of Danielle’s family members will be present in Bramlage on Sunday to watch Danielle and the Wildcats, as well as to support the fight against cancer in a way that is familiar to the family.
Basketball.
Sunday afternoon, the Wildcats will be wearing special pink jerseys as they participate in the Women’s Basketball Coaching Association "Pink Zone" game. From Feb. 13-22, colleges and universities across the nation are participating in the "Pink Zone" effort to raise awareness of breast cancer and raise money for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.
The fund is named for legendary North Carolina State coach Kay Yow who recently lost her battle against breast cancer on Jan. 24.
While Danielle’s mother was diagnosed with cancer in college, it didn’t prevent her from playing the game at the collegiate level.
She made it a point to pass the love of the game to her daughter.
Dona served as Danielle’s first basketball coach and followed her daughter as she developed into a premier player, lettering three years at Mustang High School in Yukon, Okla.
Their relationship centered around basketball, and their commitment to it paid off as Danielle is a starter for the No. 20 Wildcats.
"I think the fact that my mom has made so many sacrifices financially and time wise, driving to all of the tournaments across the country — taking off of work and doing it on her own — that is something that I will always look back on and be grateful for," Zanotti said. "It’s just a testament to her dedication to me as a player and me as a daughter. It is something that I will always treasure and be thankful for."
Zanotti and her teammates have been active in the effort to raise money for cancer research. Last season, Danielle remembers sitting in the Wildcat locker room discussing the topic of cancer and brainstorming ways the team could do its part to help.
They decided on participating in the Relay For Life event held at Ahearn Field House in the spring.
"I am so proud of the team," Zanotti said. "It takes work to raise money, and everybody rallied around it and was supportive. It is a great cause and a great opportunity to bond over something that is bigger than basketball — and bigger than us."
With the experience of volunteering through Relay For Life, Zanotti said her team has developed a bond that has helped give the team members an identity that exists beyond gameday.
"Our team, in my opinion, is unique in the fact that we are best friends on and off of the court." Zanotti said. "That is what makes us so special that helps our chemistry, and I think that our team realizes that basketball is a game that has given us blessings upon blessings."
Head coach Deb Patterson understands the effect of the disease and its relation to her program. She praises the women of the team on how they have done their part to bond and make a contribution to the cause.
"It is something we all recognize as a group, and we do talk about it as something that is very important to bring awareness to," Patterson said.
"I know our players are very proud to be wearing the pink in that regard."
The pink uniforms the Wildcats will wear Sunday afternoon have inspired the K-State athletics department to hold an auction following Sunday’s game.
The department will auction off a replica pink jersey, as well as a replica pair of shorts. The auction will run from Feb. 16 to Feb. 27.
In addition to bidding on the pink jersey and shorts, the public can purchase "Pink Zone" basketball T-shirt shirts at the K-State Super Store or the Cats Closet for $10.
"We are looking for our fans to contribute by virtue of the pink T-shirts and their attendance at our game," Patterson said.
While Zanotti said she understands she cannot control all aspects of her life, she knows what she is capable of and what it takes to battle back from something like cancer. For her entire life, her family has shown how.
"You can’t control everything in life," Zanotti said. "Cancer is one of those things that by in large you have no control over, and if it hits, faith, love, friendships and family are the only thing that can get you through it."
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