Cancer survivor tabbed as Cards Honorary Bat Girl

CHICAGO -- Kathy Day, a Cardinals fan and cancer survivor, was named as one of the winners of Major League Baseball's Honorary Bat Girl contest, which honors women who have survived breast cancer and have become advocates for finding a cure for the disease.

Day was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in 1996, and the disease returned twice, a byproduct of her initial radiation treatment. She has also battled melanoma, throat cancer and tongue cancer. Day lost her hearing because of a side effect from one of the chemotherapy treatments.

She describes her family as "lifelong Cardinals fans" and will be recognized during an on-field ceremony on Sunday, which is Mother's Day. Day will receive pink MLB merchandise and a pair of tickets to the Cardinals' 1:15 p.m. CT game against the Rockies.

With the assistance of several player judges, MLB selected an Honorary Bat Girl from each of the 30 clubs. Players and on-field personnel will also show their support for breast cancer awareness by sporting pink wristbands -- and in some cases, using pink bats -- on Mother's Day.