SAN FRANCISCO -- Monique Glowniak was asked what she wanted printed on her pink Louisville Slugger bat as the Honorary Bat Girl for the San Francisco Giants on Breast Cancer Awareness Day at AT&T Park on Sunday.
In capital letters, "BEST MOTHER'S DAY EVER!"
The Folsom, Calif., resident was presented with the bat and an autographed personalized Giants jersey by outfielder Gregor Blanco during Sunday's pregame ceremony.
Glowniak has dedicated her life to raising awareness for breast cancer. Her mother battled breast cancer. Glowniak has lost several members of her family to different kinds of cancer and realized she had a responsibility to raise awareness and provide support for those affected.
Blanco served as a guest judge for the 2016 Honorary Bat Girl Contest and continues to lend his support to raise awareness of breast cancer.
• Blanco touched by his mother's battle with cancer
"It's really hard to say in words what this means to me," Glowniak said immediately after the on-field presentation. "Being out there and with Gregor Blanco being so genuine about my work and advocacy for fighting cancer -- it touched me."
Glowniak's family "grew up with the Giants," she said.
As she talked to a reporter, a fan told her, "You made my cry out there."
"I just got goosebumps," Glowniak responded. "I have to believe I'm here for a reason."
The Honorary Bat Girl program was introduced in 2009 to raise additional awareness and support for the annual "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer" initiative celebrated on Mother's Day. In eight years, thousands of testimonials have been submitted and more than 3 million fan votes have been cast.
Fans from across the United States and in Canada shared inspirational stories of hope and motivation in their experiences in the fight against breast cancer, as well as the reasons they, or their nominees, should represent their favorite team. The complete list of winners and their stories can be found on HonoraryBatGirl.com.
Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer is a Major League Baseball initiative supported by MLB charitable partners Stand Up To Cancer and Susan G. Komen. This initiative raises awareness about the breast cancer cause, while also raising funds to support breast cancer research.
Authentic game-used Louisville Slugger pink bats and other gear from Mother's Day games will be auctioned exclusively at MLB.com, with proceeds benefiting the fight against breast cancer. The complete Mother's Day collection -- which includes the special caps and jerseys being worn by players on Sunday -- is available at the MLB.com Shop.