The girls basketball team did not just play for themselves and their teammates during Tuesday night’s 39-33 win against Boulder High School.  They played a little extra harder in honor of Ms. Laurie Ford, a District 6 employee battling cancer on their annual “Pink Night.”

In Ford’s early life, she played pro basketball for the Missouri Mustangs and semi pro softball for the BASA league. After life on the court and field, Ford moved to Greeley where she has taught math and coached basketball for the last 10 years at Brentwood Middle School.

Shortly after her move, Ford was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer and beat it. After being in remission for nine years, the cancer returned in February of 2017 and Ford’s doctors gave her 3-6 months to live. Ford has already beat the odds and continues to teach and coach at Brentwood. Weekly, Ford travels back and forth for treatment and chemo therapy, while her colleagues at Brentwood fill in for her classes.

“Pink Night” started off with a tribute to Ford and her strong will. Kendra Roth and Kenia Morales, sophomores, delivered a heartwarming speech explaining the life of the local teacher and her courage through the obstacles in her life. Ford was not alone:  she was joined by nearly 40 members of the Brentwood staff and her basketball team.  Along with the tribute, the girls basketball team collected donation money for Ford at the front door.

Senior basketball player Christi Frierson said, “It’s crazy how she is still going after everything she has been through, but I am in awe and am proud of her.”

Ford continues and will continue to live her life because, as she says, “I’m not DYING of cancer, I’m LIVING with cancer.”