Arlington, Texas--Major League Baseball today has announced the 2019 Honorary Bat Girls for each MLB Club in support of the annual “Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer” initiative, which is traditionally commemorated each Mother’s Day. Clubs had the opportunity to hand-select their respective honorees, each of whom demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the battle against breast cancer. The 2019 Honorary Bat Girl for the Rangers is Allison Lee from Frisco, Texas.

Since the Rangers are on the road on Mother’s Day, Allison will be honored prior to the game on Friday, May 17, when Texas hosts the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:05 p.m.

Allison’s personal story is below in her own words:

At the end of January 2015, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. It came as a complete shock, as NO ONE in my extended family had ever been diagnosed with breast cancer. My mom's diagnosis reminded me of the importance of self breast exams. I found a lump. I was only 37 years old, and in great health. Surely, I was over-reacting. It couldn’t be cancer, right?

I finally went to my doctor to address the lump that I had found. I was scheduled for a mammogram and imaging later that week, and then as a result of the mammogram results, a biopsy the following day. 3 months after my mom’s diagnosis, I was told the dreaded words, “I’m sorry, but as we suspected, it is breast cancer.”

And just like that, my world changed in an instant. My mom and I would be battling breast cancer at the same time. I was diagnosed with stage 2 ER/PR+ breast cancer. It was aggressive and growing fairly quickly. I completed 8 rounds of chemotherapy, underwent a double mastectomy along with reconstruction, and will take tamoxifen for a total of 10 years to minimize the risk of a recurrence.

This spring both my mom and I are celebrating 4 years as survivors and are both considered cancer-free! I am alive today because people before me recognized the importance of funding research to find better/more effective treatments for breast cancer. I will continue to fundraise/volunteer for Susan G. Komen and fight for myself, my daughter, my mom, my sisters, my friends, and all the little girls out there until breast cancer is gone for good! I want to make a difference so that one day, this diagnosis will be a thing of the past.

Research and advocacy SAVES LIVES!

For the first time since the Honorary Bat Girl program’s inception in 2009, MLB has partnered with CrowdRise to host a fundraising contest for each of the Honorary Bat Girls to raise money to benefit Stand up to Cancer (SU2C) and Susan G. Komen. The winner of the contest will receive a trip to the 2019 World Series. MLB will donate all funds from the contest to SU2C and Komen.

As has been tradition since 2006, players will continue to swing pink bats and sport pink wristbands through the “Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer” initiative, which is intended to raise awareness and, through donations and auction proceeds, funds to fight breast cancer.

In recognition of this effort, the Rangers will wear specially designed New Era caps highlighted by a pink crown and team color brim, while Club uniforms will feature the MLB breast cancer awareness logo, adorned with the symbolic pink ribbon, on the left chest for their game on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12 at Houston. A matching pair of pink socks made by Stance is optional for every player. MLB players will continue to have the opportunity to use pink bats during Mother’s Day games.

Louisville Slugger, the Official Bat of Major League Baseball, will donate proceeds from the sale of their pink bats, which will also be stamped with the MLB breast cancer awareness logo, to Komen and SU2C. In addition to the pink bats on Mother’s Day, the following game equipment can be used for breast cancer awareness: compression sleeves, batting gloves, footwear, wrist/elbow/leg guards, and catcher’s equipment. The pink ribbon will also appear on the bases at each ballpark and the official dugout lineup cards. MLB will donate 100% of its royalties from sales of licensed apparel with the MLB pink ribbon logo to Stand Up To Cancer and Susan G. Komen.

About Honorary Bat Girl Program & “Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer”

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. 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. For more information, please visit HonoraryBatGirl.com.