The UND Department of Athletics announced the start of theNorth Dakota Strong Campaign for the month of October to help raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research.

All proceeds from the UND Athletics fundraiser will be donated to Mayo Clinic in order to provide breast cancer research. The community of Grand Forks and patients of Altru Health System, a member of the Mayo Clinic Health Network, also will benefit from the program.

T-shirt sales and a hockey jersey auction will contribute to fundraising efforts.

Athletics competitions included in the North Dakota Strong campaign include: Oct. 18-19 women’s hockey series against Ohio State, Oct. 19 football game against Sacramento State, Oct. 24 volleyball game against Montana, October 26 men’s hockey game against the U.S. Under-18 Team.

UND Athletics will be making announcements and taking donations during these events while teams will show support for the campaign on the field, court and ice.

During the men’s hockey game, special one-time jerseys that debuted at UND Hockey FanFest on Sept. 22 will be worn by the team that include pink in the design. Those jerseys will be auctioned off at UNDsports.com. The auction will run through Oct. 19 and 30 and will end in 30-minute increments for each individual jersey.

Fans may purchase North Dakota Strong T-shirts during the month of October at officially licensed UND retailers for $20 with all proceeds going toward the donation.

Fans unable to attend the games but still wishing to make a donation may write checks to “Altru Breast Cancer Coalition” with “North Dakota Strong” in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to UND Athletics at 2751 Second Ave. N. Stop 9103, Grand Forks, ND, 58202.