RIVERDALE, N.Y. - For the third straight year, the Manhattan College women's basketball team will participate in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's "Pink Zone" initiative for breast cancer awareness. The Lady Jaspers have designated this Saturday's 2 p.m. contest against Niagara as their "Pink Zone" game. All fans are encouraged to come to the game wearing pink, and breast cancer survivors will be honored at halftime.
Earlier this season, Manhattan hosted "Hoops for Cancer Day" against Cornell on Dec. 19. The event, which the Lady Jaspers held for the first time, raised $1,500 for the American Cancer Society, and both teams were given certificates of appreciation for their efforts in promoting awareness. The entire team and coaching staff also ran in the 2009 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Central Park West on Sept. 13. More than 25,000 runners participated in that event, which is one of the largest single-day breast cancer fundraisers in the nation.
The WBCA began "Pink Zone," formerly known as "Think Pink," in 2007 as a way of increasing breast cancer awareness. Last season, more than 1,600 teams participated in the campaign, which raised over $1.3 million. The WBCA's charity of choice is the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, in partnership with The V Foundation. Along with longtime N.C. State Head Coach Kay Yow, who lost her decades-long battle with breast cancer last January, the WBCA created the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund in 2007. All proceeds from Saturday's game will go to this charity.
In addition, the NCAA has joined the cause by asking all officials to use pink whistles at all "Pink Zone" games as a part of the "Calling for a Cure" initiative. The "Calling for a Cure" campaign has raised over $45,000 during the past two seasons.
For more information about "Pink Zone" or to make a donation to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, visit www.wbca.org/pinkzone.asp. Donations can also be made during Saturday's game at the breast cancer information booth that will be set up near the entrance of Draddy Gymnasium.
