For five years, Kelly Flake always enjoyed coming to the Pink Out girls-boys doubleheader between Montgomery County and Wellsville-Middletown.

“Every single one of them, I have loved to the fullest,” the Jonesburg resident said. “Whether it’s at Montgomery County or in Wellsville, it’s always a meaningful night when both teams come together.”

The Pink Out basketball doubleheader between MCHS and W-M returned for its 11th year on Dec. 17. The event honored all of the people who are fighting cancer.

Flake is one of them. She was diagnosed with the disease in July.

After the girls basketball game, Flake was recognized in front of a large crowd at Ballew & Snell Court. She received gifts from the MCHS girls basketball team.

“It’s amazing when all of the people around you come together and really help,” said Flake, who was recognized at MCHS’ Pink Out volleyball match against Centralia in October and received a $4,477 check. “They really build you up. I never understood the power of the people until now. It’s amazing.”

MCHS and W-M split the doubleheader, with the Wildcats winning the girls game 58-30 and the Tigers winning the boys contest 36-24.

W-M defeated MCHS in the Pink Out boys contest for the first time since 2013. W-M coach Steve Lasman said he enjoyed being part of this year’s event.

“It was a special night,” he said. “We had so much cancer in our family. It was a great evening for our kids and it was great for Wellsville-Middletown.”

Since it first started in 2012, the Pink Out doubleheader has raised thousands of dollars to help promote cancer awareness. This year’s event raised $6,907.63, which includes money from concessions, rally towels, pom poms, cookies and cotton candy. The check was presented between the girls and boys games.

“It is amazing,” said Maddy Queathem, a sophomore on the MCHS girls basketball team. “It is amazing that our communities can raise that much money for such a great cause.”

All proceeds go to the Helen Reagan Cancer Fund, which is named in honor of the Montgomery County resident who lost her battle with cancer.

“Kudos to the Helen Reagan Cancer Foundation,” Flake said. “They have helped me recently, and I know they helped so many people. It was the highlight of the night.”

Flake received a Christmas card with gas money from the Helen Reagan Cancer Foundation that will help her make trips to the doctors in cities such as St. Louis and St. Peters.

“All of it helps,” Flake said.

Flake got to see her daughter, Carson, play in the girls game the last three years. For four years, she saw her oldest daughter, Taylor, participate in the annual contest between cross-county rivals.

“It’s always a good night,” Flake said. “The last five years, I always looked forward to this. This is the first year that it hit close to home. Every year has been emotional listening to peoples’ stories and what they have overcome.”

One of those people is Cherilyn Davis, another Jonesburg resident. Davis is a 13-year cancer survivor and got to share her experience in fighting the disease during a three-minute speech between games.

“When Cherilyn was talking about her battle with breast cancer, I was sitting there crying because it hits home,” Flake said.

Davis, who has lived in Montgomery County all of her life, said she was honored to come to the event.

“It made me feel really good,” Davis said. “The community support made it that much more worthwhile. The whole community is here to support this great event.”