Every October is “Pink Ribbon Month”. It’s time for global breast cancer awareness.
Zack Baranski (hereafter, Zack), who belongs to the Men’s Professional Basketball B League Alvark Tokyo, wears pink basketball shoes every October to let more people know about the Pink Ribbon Movement. .
This time, we interviewed Zach about why he started wearing pink basketball shoes and his thoughts on the Pink Ribbon Movement.
Inspired by NBA and NFL players ~Thoughts put into pink shoes~
ーーFirst of all, please tell us how Zack started wearing pink basketball shoes.
Zack)I spent my childhood in America and loved watching sports from an early age. Among them, NBA players and NFL (American football) players wore pink shoes in October regardless of their team colors.
At first I thought, “Is it fashion?”
I learned about the Pink Ribbon Movement and breast cancer,“If I become an athlete in the future, I want to wear pink basketball shoes and support the Pink Ribbon movement.”I came to think so.
ーーAfter that, you came back to Japan and fulfilled your dream of becoming a professional basketball player in Japan. When did you actually start wearing pink basketball shoes?
Zack)From the 2018-19 season. Now, with the cooperation of the manufacturer, I wear pink shoes with different designs every year.
What I want to tell men about breast cancer “to support my heart”
ーーI think that there was also an opportunity to learn more about breast cancer through the activities. Was there anything that surprised you as you learned more about it?
Zack)What surprised me was“Men can get breast cancer too.”about it. I had always thought that breast cancer was a disease that only affected women, but I learned that men can also get the disease, albeit at a lower rate, and that they are more likely to develop severe disease.That’s whyI think men need to be aware of it, and I think it’s a problem that they have to treat as “personal issues.”
–While recognizing such things, what kind of actions do you think it would be good for men to take?
Zack)Early detection of breast cancer through screening is important. However, I think there are many women who have a scary image of what would happen if they had the disease.It’s important to provide emotional support that says, “I’m here too.”I think.
If you can go to a breast cancer checkup together as a date, or go to the movies together after the checkup, you may feel free to go to the checkup. First of all, I think that being close to your partner will also lead to a deeper understanding of your partner.
A circle of empathy that spreads among athletes
ーーHow did the other players react when you actually tried on the pink shoes?
Zack)At first, most of the reactions to the design of the pink shoes were “cute” and “fashionable”. However, some of the foreign athletes saw my shoes and said, “Are you going to wear them in October?” but to be honest.
However, when I told him about the meaning of the shoes,There were also players from my teammates and players from other teams who said, “I want to wear them too!”This made me very happy. In addition, I received DMs from many people on SNS, and I think it was a good thing that I did it.
ーーFrom Zack’s thoughts, the circle of sympathy is spreading among the players, isn’t it?
[3 minute commentary]What is the Pink Ribbon Movement? Explain the activity!Pink Ribbon is an understanding and support for breast cancer. symbol. Today, it has become a symbolic symbol for breast cancer awareness. The Pink Ribbon Movement is an educational activity that is being carried out around the world to promote breast cancer awareness, and various organizations are working on this movement in Japan as well. …
“If your heart doesn’t move, your thoughts won’t be conveyed.”
ーーAs an athlete, how do you feel about the importance of continuing to communicate like Zack?
Zack)After all, there are fans, there are people from partner companies, and I think that we athletes are made up of the cooperation of many people. Of course, it is also possible to give courage through playing, but since I am standing on a stage that attracts attention, I think that I can repay the kindness by communicating what I am interested in and making use of it for social contribution. .
ーーIs there anything that Zack is careful about when sending out messages?
Zack)I don’t want to force myself. Of course, I would be happy if you could sympathize with me and do something together.These activities will not convey your thoughts unless your heart movesBecause I think I’m trying to send out what I sympathize with and what I want to convey.
ーーIn Zach’s case, it was the Pink Ribbon Movement.
Zack)I agree. I still want as many people as possible to see my shoes and learn about the Pink Ribbon Movement. By taking action, if it creates empathy and leads to new actions, I believe that we can transcend the boundaries of sports and gender.
ーーThank you very much! We support you in the future!
Fall in love with mathematics! How are Alvark Tokyo math drills made?B.League Alvark Tokyo produces and distributes math drills for 6th grade elementary school students in Tokyo. What kind of impact does the existence of “Alvark Tokyo Math Drill” have on children’s learning? We interviewed an elementary school teacher (anonymous, hereinafter referred to as “teacher”) who is involved in editing the drills as a member of the math drill creation committee, and Ms. Erika Minowa (hereinafter referred to as “Minowa”) from Alvark Tokyo. …
Efforts of Alvark Tokyo
At Alvark Tokyo, we are working on various things other than Zack Baranski in October as Pink Ribbon Month.
This season, in addition to #10 Zack, #8 Yutaka Yoshii, #9 Shuto Ando, and #75 Yasuki Kosakabe are wearing pink bash!
At the home game, there is also an exhibition of Zack’s successive pink bash
Article photo courtesy of Alvark Tokyo
