Volleyball tournament awards 10k to families affected by breast cancer

Posted By: Rachael Miner

rminer@klkntv.com

Dozens of people served up a little bit of mud and a lot of fun Saturday morning.

Over 1200 volleyball players descended on Prague, Nebraska to compete in the annual Pink Bandana mud volleyball tournament.

The event, which brings over 3,000 people to the small town, raises money for families affected by breast cancer.

"Every year what we do is pick recipients and we give money to them. So we hold this tournament, we have sponsorships, we raise money through registrations, and then we try to help a family in need," said Pink Bandana Founder Jeremy Stanislav. 

This year Pink Bandana picked six families affected by breast cancer and awarded them checks for $10,000

Becky Rabel, one of the recipients from Lincoln, battled breast cancer four years ago.

Last September she found out her cancer had returned and spread.

For her the check is a blessing she plans to share with her family, "It’s just a huge blessing, it just gives us breathing room, it allows us to take some trips as a family, make memories with my kids and just relieves that financial burden. It’s one less thing to worry about."

While the tournament is something Stanislav looks forward to every year, he says the real reward is helping the families affected by breast cancer, "That day is so amazing when you get to tell these families when you see what you’ve done for them, you see the tears in their eyes and you can just feel a little bit of relief coming off them that’s what’s so important."