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RICHMOND, Ky. – Each year it is estimated that nearly 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die.  The Eastern Kentucky University women’s basketball team is doing its part to help raise awareness of the fight against breast cancer.

On Thursday, the Lady Colonels will wear pink shooting shirts and shoelaces for “Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center Night” at McBrayer Arena against Southern Illinois Edwardsville.  In addition to wearing their pink shooting shirts during warm-ups before the game, the Lady Colonels will wear the pink shirts throughout the day around campus and in class in an effort to raise awareness among the campus community.

Fans are encouraged to wear pink to Thursday’s game against the Cougars as well.  Pink ribbons will be available at the front door for fans to wear.

The Lady Colonels also wore their pink shooting shirts and shoelaces for their game at Tennessee Tech on Saturday. 

“Breast cancer awareness is something that our staff and team take very seriously,” said EKU Head Coach Chrissy Roberts.  “Many of us within the program have been touched by the impact this disease has had on our families and friends.  I encourage all Lady Colonel fans to join us in wearing pink throughout the day on Thursday.”

Like so many families, the lives of the Lady Colonels and their coaches have been touched by the loss of loved ones to breast cancer.  Roberts lost her grandmother to breast cancer.  Assistant coach Melissa Kolbe’s college coach, whom she credits as her inspiration for becoming a coach, succumbed to breast cancer after a 15-year fight against the disease. 

Assistant coach Kent Miller has several friends that have benefited from research efforts and are living productive lives today after beating breast cancer.  Junior forward Alex Jones has an aunt that has survived two battles with breast cancer.  Junior guard Jalisa Bryant’s aunt is currently battling the disease.

“We can beat breast cancer,” Roberts said.  “The coaching community has joined together to make this a priority in our lives.  I ask all Lady Colonel fans to help us in this battle.  Please make a contribution to the breast cancer organization of your choice this month.  With each contribution we grow closer to saving so many lives.”

College basketball teams across the nation are participating this month in the Play4Kay initiative.  Play 4Kay is a global, unified effort for a nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond.  The Kay Yow Cancer Fund, in partnership with the WBCA and The V Foundation, is the official Play 4Kay charity.

The late Kay Yow, former North Carolina State University head women's basketball coach, served as the catalyst for Play 4Kay after her third recurrence of breast cancer in 2006.  Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, and passed away on January 24, 2009.


Potential Donation Sites

Kay Yow Cancer Fund

Susan G. Komen For The Cure

National Breast Cancer Foundation