“Think Pink” game to increase breast cancer awareness

“Think Pink”, an undertaking initiated by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) to increase breast cancer awareness, will be held this Saturday at the women’s basketball game. During the past week, they have been selling “Think Pink” t-shirts to help raise money for the cause that will benefit the Wabash Valley Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization.

This Saturday, at 12:45 p.m., approximately 40 breast cancer survivors will be honored in a pregame ceremony at Hulbert Arena. Coach Jon Prevo had this to say about tomorrow’s event: “Saturday will be a special day as we are recognizing 40 ladies who are breast cancer survivors. I am challenging everyone on campus to donate to this good cause and be in Hulbert Arena at 12:45 p.m. when we recognize these ladies. It would be great to see everyone there and show your support!”

The WBCA started the “Think Pink” initiative last year that included 120 schools coming together for the effort to make the first year a success, according the WBCA’s website. Their mission statement mentions their “global, unified effort…to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campus, in communities and beyond.”

This year, the WBCA’s “Think Pink” week is February 8th to the 17th. Schools wanting to participate choose a game in that window to bring the event to their campus. Schools may choose to partner with a local charity or donate their proceeds to the WBCA’s Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, a charity launched last year in honor of North Carolina State University’s head women’s basketball coach, Kay Yow.

Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in 1987 and is currently battling the disease for a third time. She is also only one of six Division I head coaches to reach 700 career victories. (Remember, NCAA women’s sports have been around for only 25 years) Yow also coached the 1988 US Olympic Team that competed in Seoul and won the gold medal.

Officials for the NCAA also participate in a similar event called “Calling for a Cure”. The campaign involves officials using pink whistles between the 8^th and 17^th.

Think Pink logos and phrase used with permission of Zeta Tau Alpha