Breast cancer is a disease that affects more than just the thousands of people diagnosed with it.

Stephanie Martin lost a mother who always cheered her on when Laura Martin died from breast cancer on June 28, 2007 at age 52.

Stephanie, a Chesterfield Township senior, played for Central Michigan University’s women’s soccer team. Her mother loved to watch her play.

When she died, Kristen Pelkki, a fellow soccer player, wanted to help keep Laura’s name alive.

“She was a great fan and I wanted to do something to honor her,” said Pelkki, a Saginaw senior.

So Pelkki organized the Laura Martin Fundraiser for Breast Cancer in an effort to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness. The event took place for the third time from Saturday night to Sunday evening in the Indoor Athletic Complex. More than 100 spectators sat in the audience between both days.

Central Michigan University's women's soccer team (white) scrimmages Ajax United Magic of Ontario (black) Sunday afternoon at the Indoor Athletic Complex for the third-annual Laura Martin Fundraiser for Breast Cancer. Laura Martin died from the disease on June 28, 2007 and is the mother of Chesterfield Township senior Stephanie Martin. (Matthew Stephens/Senior Photographer)

The event consisted of several soccer scrimmages between various teams, including the CMU men’s club team, the CMU men’s club alumni, Kalamazoo College and Ferris State University.

For the first match, the CMU women’s team beat the women’s alumni team 7-1 . But the real prize for the CMU women’s team was the $800 Pelkki said the event raised.

“Any money raised is good,” Pelkki said.

She said all the proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization that has invested more than $1 billion to fighting breast cancer.

The team raised money from a silent auction, donation booth and by selling pink “Team Martin” bracelets.

Although the games were scrimmages, the players were not afraid to show their competitive sides. They were not afraid to wear pink, either.

Pelkki said she asked other teams to support the fundraiser by wearing pink. Many fans sported the color from the sidelines as well.

“I wasn’t really expecting them to do it, but two out of the three (invited) teams did,” she said. “Kalamazoo and Ferris State wore pink for us.”

Southgate junior Nikoleta Kotsogiannis said she fully supports the cause.

“It’s entertainment, but it’s also helping out,” she said.

E-mail the author: Annie Harrison