CHICAGO -- Margaret Kupres was announced as the White Sox winner of the 2016 Honorary Bat Girl Contest. Every Major League team has a representative, which recognizes baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and who demonstrate a commitment to supporting the fight against the disease.
Winners will be recognized on-field at Major League ballparks on Sunday for Mother's Day or on an alternative date for clubs that are away. The White Sox play host to the Twins on Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field at 1:10 p.m. CT.
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Kupres was nominated by her husband. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001, according to her husband's nomination, and after undergoing a mastectomy and chemotherapy, she changed her career from operating room nurse to manager of the Advocate Christ Medical Center for Breast Care and then the Cancer Survivorship Program Coordinator. Currently, she is research nurse coordinator and survivorship coordinator at South Suburban Hospital.
She has created several "pink" events for cancer survivors and community members over the years to help them navigate their cancer journey. She also worked tirelessly with numerous cancer organizations and is a compassionate advocate for cancer patients and their families.
According to her husband, it's fairly common for Kupres to spend two to three hours on the phone at home with a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient who was given her number. Kupres and her husband met in the picnic area at old Comiskey Park some 40 years ago.