DaytonDailyNews.com

KETTERING — Afternoons spent cuddling, watching "Anastasia" with fistfuls of popcorn are what Kellie Joseph remembers most about her time with her mom.

"Sometimes we'd watch it two and three times a day," Joseph said of her then-favorite movie. "I think it was all she had strength to do."

The Alter High School sophomore's mom died from breast cancer seven years ago. Kellie Joseph was only 8. Her mom, Sue Joseph, is gone — her memory remains.

"I still sleep on my side of the bed," her husband Chris said. "Losing her is still hard — even today."

The Joseph family's loss is an example of breast cancer's impact. In the United States, a woman has a one-in-eight chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. An estimated 200,000 will be diagnosed this year.

The Sycamore and Loveland High School volleyball teams collaborated on Volley for the Cure last year as a way to raise awareness about breast cancer and honor those who have fought the disease. The personal impact of the disease, along with the staggering statistics, prompted schools across the state to follow their lead.

"We need to play for everyone who has ever suffered because of breast cancer," Joseph, a middle hitter, said. "It's the least we can do."

Volley for the Cure, targeted for as many as 800 schools throughout the state, will be played tonight at Alter vs. Chaminade-Julienne. Bright "Pack the Stands with Pink" T-shirts should be abundant. Proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The event hits close to home for several of the Knights players. Junior varsity setter Haley Heil's mom, Donna, was diagnosed in 1995 and is a breast cancer survivor.

Heil was 34 when she was diagnosed and had no family history of breast cancer.

"I'm the perfect example that it can happen to anybody because I didn't have any of the risk factors," she said.

Heil's concerns regarding a lump were dismissed by her doctors, prompting her to demand a biopsy.

She had surgery the next day.

"You have to be aggressive in your own care," Heil said. "This disease is not a death sentence, but you have to be proactive."

Heil is grateful for the statewide effort.

"The biggest benefit of an event like this is awareness and education and the high school venue is perfect for that reason," Heil said. "We've done a great thing if we can get just five girls to realize the importance of self examination and make them aware of their own bodies."

Contact this writer at djunie@aol.com.

Breast cancer facts

It is second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths among women in the United States.

200,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

One woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes.

10,000 women younger than 40 will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

About 1,000 will be between 20-30 years old.

Clinical breast exams and monthly self-exams are recommended, beginning at age 20.

Volley for the Cure schedule

Today: C-J at Alter.

Thursday: Fairmont at Lebanon.

Sept. 22: Trotwood-Madison at Wayne. Sept. 25: Beavercreek at Springboro, Hillsboro at Clinton-Massie, Tri-Village at TC North.

Oct. 1: Preble Shawnee at TV South. Oct. 2: Kings at Wilmington, Northmont at Vandalia Butler, Urbana at Tippecanoe. Oct. 3: Carlisle at Waynesville. Oct. 4: Carroll at Fenwick, Fairmont at Centerville. Oct. 8: Talawanda at Eaton. Oct. 9: Brookville at Dixie. Oct. 11: Preble Shawnee at Northridge.