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Cal Poly team ambassadors Alana Goosby, Mary Carter and Gabby Robinson reflect on this year's drive to raise $15,000 for the Tough Like Tammy campaign. The Mustang trio explain how cancer has affected them personally and the value of live-saving research and trials and who they'll be playing for during the 2024-25 season.

A year ago, the joint venture between Big West women’s basketball, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and Big West women’s basketball analyst Tammy Blackburn more than doubled its goal of raising $5,000. The goal in 2024-25 is to raise $15,000 through donations or pledges for each offensive rebound secured during the final month of the Big West women’s basketball season. This year, each Big West program selected team ambassadors to spearhead the effort to exceed the team goal of $1,000 per institution.

Robinson, a freshman from Yorba Linda, Calif., shares the story of her best friend's mother, who battled breast cancer, and knows that awareness and openness surrounding the discussion of cancer is needed. For Carter, a sophomore from Rocklin, Calif., the impact of clinical trials and research has saved the life of her grandfather, and Carter is confident that the impact of participating in Tough Like Tammy will continue to provide life-saving research for others. Redshirt freshman from Allen, Texas, Alana Goosby looks ahead to the potential of a career in the medical field and weaving her two worlds together. 

All proceeds from Tough Like Tammy will benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Since the fund’s inception, more than $8.78 million has been awarded for scientific research and related programs focused on women’s cancers and helping the underserved. Through just under two weeks of the campaign, Tough Like Tammy has raised $920.

For more information or to donate to the Tough Like Tammy campaign, visit bigwest.org/TLT.