Fritz and Anderson Named 2014 Go Pink Scholarship Recipients

Minnesota State University Moorhead students Sara Fritz and Michael Anderson have been selected as the 2014 Go Pink with the Dragons Scholarship recipients.

Fritz and Anderson both received a $1,000 scholarship for the spring semester at MSU Moorhead. Both students will be recognized at the Dragon Basketball games on Friday, Feb. 7.

“This scholarship is possible because of the campus and community support for Go Pink with the Dragons – purchasing a T-shirt, bidding on silent auction items, and other donations we receive – help raise money for the Go Pink scholarship and the Roger Maris Cancer Center,” said MSUM Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations Gloria Riopelle, the event organizer.

Both Fritz and Anderson have been affected by cancer.

Fritz, a native of Chilton, Wis., saw first-hand the effects of cancer in her immediate family, as her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when Fritz was two years old. Her mother passed away in 1997 after a four-year battle with cancer, but to Fritz, her father, brother and two sisters, her memory lives on.

“Receiving this scholarship is such an honor to me,” Fritz said. “With this scholarship I feel as though I am honoring my mother and my entire family. Sharing my story isn’t always easy so to be awarded the Go Pink Scholarship is a wonderful blessing.”

Fritz is a senior at MSUM majoring in exercise science.

Anderson, a native of Ada, Minn., has fought cancer himself. He applied for the scholarship at the encouragement of MSUM strength and conditioning coach Travis Anderson. Anderson was diagnosed with testicular cancer and with successful chemotherapy treatments, now is a cancer survivor.

“Receiving this scholarship is so humbling and honoring at the same time,” Michael Anderson said. “I feel so privileged to be able to be alive! I can’t even begin to thank all those that helped this moment become a reality.”

Anderson is a senior majoring in criminal justice.

The Dragon’s Women’s Basketball team, led by Head Coach Karla Nelson, sponsors Go Pink with the Dragons as a community service to educate and raise awareness about the importance of screening for breast cancer and other cancers. This event also raises funds for the MSUM Go Pink Scholarship and the Sanford Health Roger Maris Cancer Center.

Go Pink T-shirts go on sale Feb. 3 for $10 at the MSUM bookstore, career center, athletic department and bone marrow registry times throughout the week. They will also be available at the Sanford Health Gift Shop. Proceeds from the T-shirt sales and Go Pink Silent Auction benefit the MSUM Go Pink Scholarship Fund and the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, N.D., with the exception of FM Derby Girls, whose proceeds will go to the RMCC.

MSUM’s Go Pink games on Friday, Feb. 7 against St. Cloud State will be broadcast live on WDAY Channel 6.3, or channel 596 on Midcontinent Communications cable.

More information about Go Pink with the Dragons will be released throughout the week or contact Gloria Riopelle at riopelg@mnstate.edu or 218-477-5824. If you wish to volunteer, please sign up here.

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