LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University Athletic Department will be hosting the annual Pink Zone at this weekend’s women’s and men’s basketball games.
The event is part of a national movement, the WBCA Pink Zone. The WBCA Pink Zone is a program that does just that. Over the past four years, the WBCA Pink Zone initiative has raised a phenomenal amount of awareness for breast cancer, as well as a significant amount of donations for women's cancer research.
“This is such a great event to be a part of,” EOU head women's basketball coach Anji Weissenfluh said. “We are honored to be a part of such a great cause. I think everyone on our team has knows someone who has been affected by breast cancer. It really touches us on a personal level.
“I think it's a great thing not only for our team be involved with, but the school as well. I know our players are excited to be a part of this.”
The event has once again received local support, and the Quinn Coliseum lobby will have a carnival-like atmosphere with area businesses. Massages, balloon art, face painting, bake sales, silent auctions, and much more will keep fans entertained all night as they stroll in and out of the gymnasium Friday night. The Johnny Ballgame Radio Show will be broadcasting live from the lobby from 3 to 4 p.m.
Wardrobe changes will highlight the evening as well. The EOU women’s basketball team will be wearing pink uniforms. The athletic department is giving out 1,000 breast cancer awareness T-shirts to the fans as well.
Fans will also have a chance to step in a cash closet that contains hundreds of dollars and coupons to local businesses. Tickets will be drawn to see who will go in the contest. Fans can also purchase a paper plane for a dollar and have a chance to win $100 by being the closest throw to the middle of the court. Prizes will be given away throughout the night as well.
The Eastern Oregon University Athletic Department in partnership with Student Health has been awarded a Susan G. Komen Foundation mini-grant to help support the efforts towards breast cancer awareness. Mini-grants support activities in breast cancer education, access to screening, treatment and survivor support activities and training related to breast cancer education and services.
“I am excited to partner with EOU athletics to increase breast cancer awareness on campus and throughout the community,” OHSU Registered Nurse, Angie Abel said. “It is important to provide this education to our students, especially concerning modifiable risk factors for breast cancer. Although breast cancer is rare in this age group it is not unheard of and these young ladies need to understand that a healthy diet and exercise decrease breast cancer risk.”
Fans will have the chance to make donations all weekend with 75 percent of the money going to the CHD and 25 percent going to the WBCA.
The men’s games which tip off at 7:30 p.m. will be a part of the Coaches vs. Cancer program. The program unites the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches in the fight against cancer. The EOU coaching staff will be wearing sneakers with their outfits. The initiative is a national movement called Suits and Sneakers.