Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The 18th annual Gators Link to Pink Meet presented by UF Health is taking place at the O'Dome on Friday night. The popular event is a way for the UF gymnastics team to promote awareness, preventative action and treatment for breast cancer. 
 
The gymnasts all understand the importance behind the message, but for Gators senior Chloi Clark, the purpose behind this year's meet has turned more personal.

In June 2023, Chloi's mom, Rhondi Clark, was diagnosed with breast cancer. The diagnosis came as a shock to the family, especially since Rhondi was feeling her best both physically and mentally.

"In my situation, in particular, a mammogram allowed it to be caught early. It was caught when it was slow growing, the size was not a concern, and my cancer type allowed me to not have chemotherapy," said Rhondi.
 
Even with all these blessings, it was still a battle. 
 
Rhondi could approach treatment in two ways: by feeling sorry for herself or with a positive attitude. Rhondi decided to go with the latter, which helped her recover.
 
 
"I just felt very strong mentally and physically, and that helped really fuel me going into all of this," she said. "It was wonderful to feel strong physically because you're going through all the testing and the surgery. It really made my recovery faster.

"The mental side of things also fueled a sense of strength. I kind of just took each day and was like, 'I'm going to kick some butt.' It certainly gives me peace to have that attitude."
  
Rhondi's positive outlook was not only a source of strength for her battle but also a rock for her daughter.
 
"She had a positive attitude throughout the whole thing, and she was like, 'I am not going to let this keep me down at all.' That's just so inspiring, and it inspires me every day,'' Chloi said. "When I'm having a bad day, I'm like, if my mom can deal with and battle cancer, then I can deal with the littlest things."

Chloi has added a special item to her wardrobe for her senior season to show how much her mom means to her.
 
"I decided to wear the pink bow in my hair for my mom this season. Last year, we did a 'let it shine,' and we got to honor different people in our lives, and so this year, I knew I wanted to do it for her,'' Chloi said. "Obviously, I think it's really cool that I can show all the little girls and families if they know someone that is struggling or has gone through breast cancer, just to honor them. But also just as a reminder of how important my mom is to me. It's a way of doing something bigger than gymnastics and bigger than myself and honoring her."

For her mother, the ribbon signifies how Chloi handled things away from her family in Colorado.
 
"The ribbons have been really important to Chloi for a couple of different causes. It's so neat, she's been so strong, and she's handled this. There are a lot of unknowns. We are a small family of three, and that was a huge weight on her shoulders,'' Rhondi said. "To be away from family and hugs, and not being able to see her and see the days that are maybe more of a burden than other days. It shows she's just as strong as I've tried to be. It's really a neat symbol."
 

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Outside of their family unit, Chloi's support during her time at school was her team and coaches. Being allowed to help Chloi and her family caused this meet to give the family and the team a new perspective on this long-time tradition.
 
"Obviously, you know Link to Pink means a lot, especially as a woman, and so many women struggle with breast cancer. Having my mom have cancer really put a personal level on it, and it means so much more than it did before. It meant a lot to do it for people, but when you really have that personal impact, it makes it so much more different," said Chloi.
 
After going through this journey, spreading awareness is their top goal for this meet. While that has always been the goal, they hope their story will connect with the audience and drive the message home, along with other breast cancer survivors in attendance tonight.
  
"That huge reminder for people to get mammograms, looking at a stadium of nine to 10 thousand people that can hear the message of folks who were diagnosed early. The survival rates are so much better now, that's a huge message to easily and quickly get out there in such a wonderful fan environment," said Rhondi.
 
Chloi and Rhondi will feel all the different emotions that come with being a breast cancer survivor during this year's Link to Pink.

"It's going to be a very emotional day. Lots of positive, obviously that she's well, but also it was a very difficult time for me, and I know it was hard for her and our family,'' Chloi said. "I'm going to feel a lot of emotions, but I'm just going to be so excited to see her on the floor. Just the battle that she went through and to be able to come out of it with such a strong and positive attitude, so I'm excited."