The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Christmas last year, was in atten- dance. Barnes is the mother of Barnes Arico, who shared an extra-long hug with her mom during the pregame festivities. "That was really special," Barnes Arico said. "Last year, when we did this, it wasn't safe for her to travel because her immune system was too low. This summer, she finished all of her treatments and chemotherapy. "She is feeling a little better now and flew out just for the weekend. For her to be here for a special day like that, it was really nice for me. We had some of the survivors talk with the team, including my mom, and that was great. I was excited she got to share that experience with our team." At the game, during which Michi- gan played in maize uniforms with pink borders around the numbers and side stripes, each player de- livered a Michigan basketball to a survivor as the lineups were being introduced. "Any time you can give back to people who are fighting for their lives is an amazing feeling," senior center Val Driscoll said. "To hear each one of those women's stories was incred- ible. You realize how grateful you are to have the life you have. "They were willing to come out of their busy days and share their stories with us, it left an impact on us. And we're leaving an impact on them, because they were so happy to be here and watch us play." ❏ Michigan's Breast Cancer Awareness night Feb. 9 was of special importance to head coach Kim Barnes Arico, who was able to share a moment with her mom, Donna, who has battled the disease for the past year. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS