The Fayetteville Observer (copyright 2009)
Reprinted with permission

All the pink replacing the orange in Gore Arena this week will hold a special meaning for Campbell senior point guard Lauren Arthur.

Lauren's mom, Kathleen Arthur, has battled breast cancer since September 2006. Kathleen plans to be in attendance to watch her daughter when the Camels take part in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's "Pink Zone" game against East Tennessee State on Thursday (Feb. 19).

Methodist, UNCP, Fayetteville State and Campbell all will, or already have, held "Pink Zone" games this month. The event is designed to raise awareness about breast cancer as fans, coaches and players don pink during their games. Money raised at the events will go to the Kay Yow/WBCA Breast Cancer Fund.

With her mother still getting chemotherapy treatments to fight breast cancer, Lauren took some time to talk with staff writer Paul Shugar about what her participation in the "Pink Zone" game means to her.

Q: How significant is this game to you?

A: It means a lot. It's really emotional for me because I view it as a chance for me to fight for her on the basketball court since she's been fighting this for so long. I go out there and leave everything on the floor for her. I want to get a win for her because I know it's for her. Her name is on my shoes, so every day I have a reminder that she's fighting for her life. So I want to leave it all on the court for her.

Q: What does attending Campbell's "Pink Zone" game mean to your mother?

A: I know one time I asked her about that. She said it just means so much her that so many people, who don't even know who she is and never will get to know her, are behind her, supporting her in this cause. She knows there are a lot more women out there besides her fighting it. She likes how (the event) is behind all women who are fighting or have lost their lives.

Q: What did it mean to your family when North Carolina State coach Kay Yow died after her long battle with breast cancer?

A: Obviously, I felt really sad and had tears in my eyes. She was such a leading figure to publicly fight breast cancer and brought so much attention to the disease. I once went to N.C. State's "Think Pink" game, and it was amazing. It brought tears to everyone's eyes who really admired her. I was real sad, and my mom was sad to hear (about her death). She's given back so much in this big fight, and we really admire her.

Q: What's it like actually playing in the game?

A: It definitely is one of my favorite games to play in the season. Every game is important, but this one is more important to me and very close to my heart. It's just one game where I'm so emotional for her, and I do everything to make her proud and show her a (victory). It would be great to win, but we play a tough team in (East Tennessee State), so it would be great to get a win against a quality basketball team.