Women's Basketball Coaches Association Play 4Kay Cancer Awareness Dates Announced
LA GRANDE, Ore. - The dates for the 2018 Play 4Kay initiative are February 9-19 Join a nation of coaches and student-athletes in the fight against women's cancers.
The “pink phenomenon” in women’s basketball began during the 2004-2005 basketball season, when Coach Yow’s cancer recurred after being in remission for 17 years. Play4Kay is the grassroots fundraising initiative of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. It was originally called Think Pink, later Pink Zone, and most recently and finally, Play4Kay. Women’s basketball teams wore pink in honor of Coach Yow and those battling cancer. In 2007, this movement resulted in the establishment of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and its Play4Kay initiative.
Kay Yow, former North Carolina State University head women's basketball coach, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, and passed away on January 24, 2009, after facing her third bout with the disease.
Teams from across the Cascade Conference have participated in various ways throughout the month of February including with the wearing of pink uniforms, fundraising activities for local and national organizations, as well as involving fans by hosting Pink Night where everyone coming to the games are encouraged to wear pink in support of cancer research.
Join the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and help continue to fulfill Coach Yow's vision and mission in the fight against cancer!
While Feb. 9-19 is the official Play 4Kay initiative many of the CCC schools will extend the timeframe and efforts additional weekends to hold on campus events.