Local High School Softball Team Prepares For Tournament To Fight Breast Cancer

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Batter up for breast cancer research! The 7th annual Albie Swinging For Life softball game has a local high school team raising money to fight breast cancer.

Christian Brothers softball coach Mike Nivens knows all too well the pain associated with breast cancer.

"I lost my wife five years ago...high school sweethearts married for 30 years and we beat it the first time," said Nivens. "Unfortunately it returned after 13 years and we lost her."

Since his wife's death, Nivens has been on a mission to raise awareness and support for breast cancer. It's a message he hopes the girls on his team will read loud and clear.

"We talk about nutrition, about challenging this disease, and thirdly, more importantly, it's not being afraid of it. To find a cure and to help support some of these young women struggling with this disease that they're not alone," he said.

That's why the Christian Brothers softball team is raising funds for the Albie Aware Foundation. The money goes directly into the hands of breast cancer patients.

"There are so many people with breast cancer -- about 1,200-1,300 new cases a year. And so many are not getting the support they need or the proper funding," said Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation spokesperson Cindy Love.

Regardless of who wins or loses the tournament, Nivens knows he's making a difference.

"I think my wife would be really happy. I really think she would," he said.

So far, the tournament has raised more than $60,000.