“I can’t think of too many people, especially on our team, who haven’t had cancer affect someone that they know or a loved one. We’re wearing these uniforms to honour all of those people and families who have battled cancer. It is certainly hitting close to home for us. Joyce Harrison, who is the wife of one of our assistant coaches, Duncan Harrison, is in that battle right now and we wear these jerseys to support them and send some love their way.” - @ryanjoelhofer, TWU Head Coach
Cancer touches nearly every corner of our lives—whether it's a teammate, a coach's family member, or someone we hold dear. At Oddball Workshop, we believe in the power of community coming together, and that's exactly what the TWU volleyball program demonstrated with their cancer awareness initiative.
The message from Head Coach Ryan Joelhofer really resonates: wearing those jerseys wasn't just about making a statement. It was about showing up for Joyce Harrison and every other person and family fighting this battle. That kind of visible, tangible support matters more than we sometimes realize.
What struck me most about this initiative is how it transforms a uniform into something meaningful—a symbol of solidarity and hope. In sports, we often talk about team unity on the court, but this goes deeper. It's about recognizing that the people we play alongside, coach, and support are dealing with real struggles off the court too.
Whether you're part of a sports team, a workplace, or just a community, there's something powerful about collectively acknowledging hardship and standing together. It doesn't solve the problem, but it sends a clear message: you're not alone in this fight.
To Joyce, Duncan, and everyone battling cancer—your strength inspires us all. And to teams and organizations like TWU who use their platform to raise awareness and show compassion, thank you for leading by example.