The Palo Alto girls' volleyball team and Menlo College football team will be among local squads doing their part this week in promoting breast cancer awareness while raising money for research and support projects.

The first-place Vikings will host a Dig Pink Rally during their SCVAL De Anza Division match with visiting Los Altos on Thursday, which begins at 6:45 p.m.

Palo Alto and Los Altos are joining more than 1,500 college, high school and middle school teams across the country in support of cancer patients and their families during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Fans can show their support by wearing pink to make it a "pink out," or by making a pledge-per-dig at the match. Jamba Juice will be selling smoothies and donating a portion of the proceeds. Admission to the match is free.

Palo Alto and Los Altos support the goals of the Side-Out Foundation through this Dig Pink event. The non-profit Side-Out Foundation was established in 2004 to raise money and awareness about cancer through recreational volleyball.

At Menlo College, the football team invites the community to come together on Friday outside of the cafeteria to sign a banner to honor a cancer survivor or in memory of a loved one taken by cancer. On Saturday, the Oaks will take on Webber International in the second annual "Pink for the Cure" football game at noon.

School officials encourage Breast Cancer Awareness Month by going "Passionately Pink for the Cure"™ all day Friday and Saturday.

— Palo Alto Online Sports

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.