Even though she has been living in the Kansas City area for more than 20 years, Mindy Bishop always looks forward to coming back to the Montgomery County area.

“This is still home because this is where my family is,” Bishop said.

The 1997 Wellsville-Middletown graduate made a return to the county on Dec. 15 to share her experiences with breast cancer during the Montgomery County Pink Out girls-boys doubleheader between Montgomery County and Wellsville-Middletown. In her 11-minute speech, Bishop told the large crowd at Ballew & Snell Court that it is important to take care of their bodies and get regular checkups.

“That was my main message – take care of yourself and take care of the people you love,” Bishop said.

Bishop was the guest speaker of the Pink Out basketball doubleheader, which returned for its 12th year and honored all of the people who are fighting cancer. She made her speech between the girls and boys games.

“I had no idea it was going to be 11 minutes,” Bishop said. “I really thought it would be four minutes long.”

Bishop was diagnosed with breast cancer on July 2, 2020. According to the CDC, there are about 240,000 cases of breast cancer in women each year.

“The doctor who called said he was sorry that he ruined my Fourth of July,” Bishop said.

Bishop is the aunt of Montgomery County senior Malia Rodgers, who played in the Pink Out for the fourth time. Rodgers said she was thrilled the aunt made the trip from Blue Springs to talk about breast cancer awareness.

“I knew all of the stuff that she went through, but when she said it, it really resonated with me,” Rodgers said. “It really made me see how much she had to overcome. I was really happy that she agreed to do it because I asked her to do it last year and it didn’t work out. This year, she was able to do it and I was so excited about it.”

Wellsville-Middletown senior Bethany Slovensky said she got emotional when she heard Bishop’s speech.

“Mindy really moved me,” Slovensky said. “I know her personally through Malia. She said a line from a Lauren Daigle song and it gave me chills. I almost teared up because I know how (breast cancer) affects the community. How much support we give is truly amazing for Montgomery County.”

The Pink Out doubleheader has raised thousands of dollars to help promote cancer awareness since it first began in 2012. This year’s event raised a record $9,713, which includes money from concessions, rally towels and donations. The check was presented between the girls and boys games.

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.

Bishop, who is a language arts teacher at the Blue Springs School District, said she enjoyed going to an event that had two cross-country rivals raising money for a good cause.

“I love the two communities coming together because they were both so special to my heart,” she said. “So watching them come together for this bond made my heart so happy because this will always be home to me. Blue Springs is where we live, but when we came here, we’re going home tonight. This is home.”

Bishop was also happy to see her niece play. Rodgers helped her Wildcats beat the Tigers 68-41 in the girls contest.

“As soon as I walked in, she caught my eye because she was out on the court,” Bishop said. “She gave me the biggest smile. I’ve known those girls on the team for years because I watched them grow up and play together and the love that they give me. They all call me Aunt Mindy and I love all of them.”

MCHS defeated W-M 71-10 in the boys contest to complete the sweep in the doubleheader for the second year in a row. Both MCHS girls and boys teams earned Traveling Trophies.