If people look around the next time they’re at a game or practice of a York County sports team, they will see a lot of athletes wearing pink.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a field hockey team or a football team, athletes are donning the color either on their socks, shoes or with some apparel while playing their chosen sport. That’s because athletes across the United States are celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Breast cancer is a serious disease that will afflict about 1 in 8 women, according to the American Cancer Society. In 2011, an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the United States.

Breast Cancer Awareness month should be looked at with a serious eye, as the disease will affect almost everyone, either personally or through family and friends.

That’s why we think it is a great idea for athletes to support the awareness campaign.

Here in York County, several high school teams have raised money with so-called “pink games.” In these games, the two teams competing agree to wear all pink or don some pink clothing while playing. The games also usually involve a pre-game fundraiser and souvenir sale during the contest.

The Biddeford and Kennebunk volleyball teams last Monday, for example, raised nearly $500 to fight the disease through their “pink game.”

Thornton Academy field hockey, in its game against Gorham on Sept. 29, raised more than $1,000 with its annual “Stick it to Cancer” game.

The Golden Trojans football team will get in on the act this Saturday in its game with Cheverus. Both teams will wear some type of pink clothing and T-shirts will be sold during the contest in support of fighting the disease.

Sometimes sports can become overwhelming, as it is seen as only a competition, but its efforts such as these breast cancer awareness events that remind people that athletics can also be a tool for positive change.

It’s not just high school athletes who are supporting the cause. If people watched a National Football League game on Sunday, they would’ve seen almost every player wearing pink cleats, or pink socks, or placing a pink towel into his pants. It’s an odd, but also pleasing sight, to see these men, who are considered tough guys and modern day gladiators, wearing pink, which is usually considered a feminine color. When we come together as a society, it doesn’t matter what the color is or how tough people think they are, because eradicating breast cancer is more important than image.

We would like to thank all of our local athletes who have taken the time to dedicate a night to this worthy cause. It not only reflects well upon them, but also upon our society as we try to end this horrible disease.

It is also refreshing to see young people getting involved in a cause and learning through athletics, which is a big part of what high school sports should be about.

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Today’s editorial was written by Sports Editor Al Edwards representing the majority opinion of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.