NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team has been named a Play4Kay divisional winner for the fourth year in a row, as the Redbirds raised more money than any other non-BCS Division I school at their Play 4Kay game Feb. 10, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund (KYCF) announced Friday.
Along with other divisional winners, Illinois State was recognized Friday at the KYCF's Wow4Yow Welcome Party, at the NCAA Women's Final Four in Tampa, Florida.
"We are so appreciative and thankful to our fans and game day participants, as well as those who financially supported their participation in our activities," Illinois State Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Leanna Bordner said. "Coach Yow was, and remains, an inspirational leader who motivates all of us to do more to assist in supporting research for a horrific disease. Her vision is our vision, and we thank all those who played a part in this years' event and success. A special thanks to Jordan Ashley and the Redbird marketing team for their coordination of our Play4Kay event."
Funds were raised via an in-game raffle, a silent auction, as well as through donations made in support of participants walking, biking and competing in triathlon events courtside during the ninth-annual Play4Kay game in February. The Student Nurses Association at Illinois State University, who was the title sponsor, along with Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Community Cancer Center, Mennonite College of Nursing and Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, partnered with Illinois State Athletics to make the event possible.
Cancer survivors and those currently battling cancer were invited to a pregame social in the Legends Room at Redbird Arena, and to participate in an on-court recognition ceremony at halftime.
"The Play 4 Kay game always holds a special place in my heart," said head coach Kristen Gillespie. "To see her legacy live on and to have the outpouring of support from our community is tremendous. Coach Yow was one of my biggest role models and I could not be more proud of the Redbird family for all of their efforts in making this event a continued success."
Since the KYCF's inception, more than $5.3 million has been allocated in support of women's cancer research and serving the underserved. For more information about the KYCF and its annual Play4Kay fundraising initiative, visit www.kayyow.com.
The KYCF was officially founded Dec. 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization's namesake Kay Yow, former North Carolina State head women's basketball coach. Coach Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease Jan. 24, 2009. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women's cancers through raising funds for scientific research, assisting the underserved, and unifying people for a common cause.
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