Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers™ Awareness Weekend set for January 24-26
Big Ten Network to Donate $10,000 to Fight against Cancer
ATLANTA, Jan. 24, 2014 /3BL Media/ - More than 4,000 basketball coaches from across the country will lace up for the fight against cancer when they step out of their loafers, oxfords, and wingtips and into sneakers during games as part of Coaches vs. Cancer® Suits and Sneakers™ Awareness Weekend, set for January 24-26.
The nationwide event raises awareness about the fight against cancer, highlights the importance of nutrition and physical activity in reducing a person’s cancer risk, and promotes the American Cancer Society’s free programs and services available to those facing cancer.
“This is so much more important than just a game,” says St. Joseph’s University Head Coach Phil Martelli, chair of the Coaches vs. Cancer council. “This is a matter of life and death, and by participating, coaches have a chance to make a real impact.”
Today, two out of three people diagnosed with cancer are surviving the disease for five years or longer and more than 400 people a day in the U.S. are celebrating birthdays that would have otherwise been lost to cancer.
“We may be battling on the court night in and night out, but as coaches, we’re on the same team when it comes to reminding our basketball community and our fans about taking an active role in reducing our risk of cancer and in fighting back on behalf of those who face a cancer diagnosis,” said Lon Kruger, University of Oklahoma head coach and Coaches vs. Cancer council member. “Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend is all about challenging us all to get involved in the fight for every birthday threatened by cancer in every community.”
The Big Ten Network (BTN), as part of its pro-social initiative BTN LiveBIG, has teamed up with the American Cancer Society and will televise basketball games at Northwestern, Purdue, Indiana and Nebraska during Suits and Sneakers™ Awareness Weekend. During the four games the school with the most students wearing suits and sneakers along with their respective coach will receive a $10,000 donation to the school’s Relay For Life initiative, which raises critical funds for cancer research.
For more information and to join coaches in the fight against cancer, visit cancer.org/suitsandsneakers.
