MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have named Monica Theis of Robbinsdale as the club’s 2019 Honorary Bat Girl, in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s league-wide support of the annual “Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer” initiative. All 30 clubs had the opportunity to hand-select their respective honorees, each of whom demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the battle against breast cancer. Theis and her family will be honored this Sunday, May 12, prior to the Twins’ 1:10 p.m. Mother’s Day home game against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field.

Theis first battled cancer at age 19, when she defeated Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Twelve years later in 2004, Monica was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer and went through a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. In 2011, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer and went through the same treatment process, but in 2015 the cancer returned as Stage 4. Currently considered fairly stable, Monica is undergoing targeted radiation therapy. She is also an American Cancer Society and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer.

Said Theis: “Just the fact that I wake up every day and that I’m upright and breathing and still able to enjoy life – I think focusing on those little daily things, whether it’s going for ice cream in the evening or looking at pretty flowers, for as silly as it seems. Sometimes sitting back and taking those moments, and just taking a breath, is very fulfilling. Other than that, it’s time with family and friends and just filling it with easy, happy things.”

“We’re honored to have Monica represent the Twins as our Honorary Bat Girl, and to join her in the fight against breast cancer,” said Nancy O’Brien, Twins Vice President, Community Engagement. “Through friends, family and loved ones, so many of us are affected by breast cancer. Monica’s story of incredible courage and of embracing the joyful moments of each day truly provide inspiration to us all.”

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 on Mother’s Day, players also 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. 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 the Honorary Bat Girl Program and “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.