Pink Hoops a cause close to Hunter's heart

While the Pink Hoops double-header is the brainchild of current Sydney Flames coach Tiana Mangakahia, there is another member of the Hoops Capital family for which the event will hold particular significance.

Mangakahia was recently forced to retire due to her ongoing battle with breast cancer and will be a focus of the Sunday, January 14 event at Qudos Bank Arena but it will also allow the club to celebrate the resilience of Jordi Hunter's mother Jo - who is a breast cancer survivor.

Kings big man Hunter admits breast cancer has had a big impact on his life and is proud that his club is making strides to help assist families dealing with this disease currently - during the first-ever Pink Hoops event in support of the McGrath Foundation.

"Breast cancer has impacted my family a great deal," Hunter said.

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"Mum was diagnosed nearly 12 years ago now - it was a scary time but one she handled with grace.

"We sadly lost her beautiful mum, my grandma, at the same time, having battled the disease for 13 years.

"Breast cancer has affected so many of our family members, and continues to affect the women in our family as they go through the rigours of regular check-ups and genetic testing to mitigate risk and understand the disease.

"It’s very meaningful that the Kings and Flames are striving to play a part in bringing awareness to breast cancer - it’s a disease that has impacted countless families in Australia and around the world."

Watch Tiana Mangakahia's Pink Hoops feature via Sydney Kings' YouTube channel above. While you're there, be sure to hit subscribe, to ensure you never miss out on any of our great videos. 

The mother of 26-year-old Hunter, Jo is extremely proud the harbour city side is hosting an event like this and is excited to assist with making it as successful as possible.

"I am very proud of Tiana for initiating this fantastic event," Jo Hunter said.

"Despite what she is going through she is always thinking of others and how she can make a difference - she is inspirational.

"I am also proud of Jordi for supporting this great cause - he sadly has had a front-row seat to all our family has gone through and he never waivers in wanting to help in any way he can. 

"When I heard the Flames and Kings were getting involved with Pink Hoops and the McGrath Foundation, I wanted to help in any capacity I could.

"I was diagnosed at the age of 39 with breast cancer and had four young children and my beautiful mother was very ill with breast cancer at the time.

"I know the incredible difference a breast care nurse makes to a patient’s treatment, peace of mind and ongoing support - they are the rock stars of the cancer world."

Sydney-born Hunter has sent the impact the Pink Test has had on breast cancer awareness and the McGrath Foundation - one he hopes Pink Hoops can replicate for years to come.

"The Pink Test is such a great event," King #210 said.

"I hope the Pink Hoops event can come to mirror the prestige and excitement of the Test, being such an integral part of the Australian sporting calendar.

"It’ll be special to be wearing pink as part of Hoops Capital’s Pink Hoops event and I’m proud to be representing such a great cause as one club with the Flames.

"The jerseys look amazing and will go a long way in raising awareness for breast cancer care and research.

"The McGrath Foundation is an amazing organisation raising much-needed funds for breast care nurses - I can’t wait to play a small part."

READ MORE: PREMIER MINNS THROWS SUPPORT BEHIND PINK HOOPS

Echoing her son's thoughts, Jo knows what kind of impact events like this can have on those impacted by breast cancer.

"The impact of a night like tonight is huge," she said.

"Knowing what the Flames and Kings community, through the McGrath Foundation, are doing, we all can help to raise awareness and funds to provide more breast care nurses to patients, especially in the rural areas.

"I know personally how very important a breast care nurse is from the minute you are diagnosed - I can’t wait to see all the pink for this incredible event."

For those wanting to support the McGrath Foundation's mission of 250 breast care nurses by 2025, you can do so here.

Fans can purchase their own Pink Hoops jerseys here, with tickets to the double-header are still available here.