When the Sting played the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday night at Charlotte Bobcats Arena, they fought hard, but were defeated for the first time in five games. However, they also fought for another cause -- the fight against breast cancer. And in this fight, they were victorious, as they celebrated those who have survived breast cancer, the disease that affects one in every eight women.

The Sting, Presbyterian Hospital and the Susan G. Komen Foundation partnered to create Rim of Hope: A Celebration of Breast Cancer Survivors and Breast Health Awareness, an annual WNBA tradition. The cause was present in all aspects of the game, as the players wore pregame warm-ups commemorating the event, attendees were encouraged to wear pink to the game and all fans received a pink ribbon to wear to celebrate the survivors and generate awareness of the disease.

Both the Komen Foundation and Presbyterian Hospital were on hand for the game, and they provided 50 coupons for free mammograms, passed out educational information about breast cancer and hosted an interactive health care area for kids.

“The Charlotte Sting are leaders among women,” said Gloria Scienski, executive director of Komen Charlotte. “For them to demonstrate that not only do they look after their own health, but they are interested in helping others maintain good health. That shows that they are great ambassadors for this community.”

Sting guard Helen Darling addressed the crowd prior to the game, and as the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, she understands the importance of generating awareness for the disease.

“Breast cancer has affected my family tremendously. It meant a lot to me to have people come out, wear the pink and support us,” she said. “We’re women, so it’s really good for the Charlotte Sting to show that we are supportive of this cause.”

Breast cancer survivors were honored at halftime, and pictures of the annual Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure were flashed on the scoreboard. The race takes place in over 100 cities nationwide, and it is the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world. While it was a celebration for the survivors, it was a solemn time as people reflected on the women they have lost to the disease.

“Anything that you can do to acknowledge that we are still surviving means a lot to all women,” said Jamie Bennett, one of the breast cancer survivors who was honored at halftime. “We need a much support as we can get.”

“It makes me very proud that we are being supported by the Sting,” said Carol Bentley, another breast cancer survivor honored at halftime. “Getting the message out to the public means so much and will help our cause tremendously.”

Charlotte Head Coach Muggsy Bogues led the Sting’s effort in the fight against breast cancer because he knows firsthand what it is like to be affected by the disease. His mother died from lung cancer, and his girlfriend, Sharon Smith, is a breast cancer survivor.

“I’m at the age now that I appreciate everything that goes on in life,” Bogues said in an interview on Thursday.

While Bogues and the rest of the Sting players are fighting for wins on the court, they are also leading the effort to fight for an ultimate win off the court -- the fight against breast cancer.