THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: When Volleyball 4 the Cure hits close to home
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 10 months, 2 weeks AGO
MARK NELKE/Press Coeur d'Alene High volleyball coach and recent breast cancer survivor Carly Curtis watches her Viking team play in the Volleyball 4 the Cure match against Post Falls on Tuesday night at Viking Court.
When Carly Curtis helped start the Volleyball 4 the Cure match for breast cancer awareness some 19 years ago, it was in part because her mother, Kay Adams, was a breast cancer survivor.
On Tuesday night, it was Carly's turn.
“It was a very emotional night,” said Curtis, the Coeur d’Alene High volleyball coach, after the annual benefit volleyball match with Post Falls.
IN JANUARY, Curtis, 52, went to the doctor for her annual mammogram, something she has done every year since turning 40.
“The doctor saw something and said, ‘Let’s get this checked out,’” Carly said. “Luckily, they caught it early.”
Carly had a double mastectomy, and says she’s “all clean” now.
“Thankfully I have amazing doctors that checked on it early and caught it,” she said.
“It was very emotional,” Carly said of getting the news. “I always just try to remain positive ... whatever it is, I can handle it.
“I think my husband (Kevin) was a little more, ‘Oh my gosh.’ I knew whatever it was going to be, I was going to beat it.”
Carly’s mother-in-law, Anna Curtis, who has since passed, was also a breast cancer survivor.
CARLY AND Willow Hanna, then the Post Falls volleyball coach, started Volleyball 4 The Cure 19 years ago. At the annual event, items are raffled off, with proceeds going to a local cancer organization. This year, some of those funds will help a local volleyball official, Kelley Kostelecky, who was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Also at the event, past breast cancer survivors are recognized and honored.
On Tuesday night, one of those recognized and honored was Carly Curtis. Her players presented her with flowers, and wore T-shirts in warmups saying, basically, they had their coach’s back.
“It was a tear-jerker,” Carly said.
Carly’s mom was at the match, and stood by her daughter, as part of the “Stand Up To Cancer” moment they have before the match each year.
On this night, it felt different for Carly.
“I gave my mom a big hug and let her know I love her,” Carly said.
Also recognized on Tuesday night was Kelly Ziegler-O'Brien, aunt of Post Falls volleyball player Claire Ziegler, and who coached with Curtis at North Idaho College for a couple of seasons.
Kelly lost her battle with breast cancer in August.
CURTIS IS thankful her cancer did not spread, that it was caught early and completely removed.
At the match Tuesday night, some folks from Kootenai Health were on hand, in case women were interested.
“There were some people that signed up for their mammogram, so that was cool,” Carly said. “That’s what we’re hoping.”
Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 1205, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @CdAPressSports.