Basketball going to the line for breast cancer research
This Valentine's Day the Commodores Women's Basketball team will celebrate the second annual “Pink Out!” — a fund-raiser for breast cancer research.
During the Feb. 14 home game between VU and Kentucky, every time the Commodores sink a free throw, money raised from pledges will be donated to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
“We're delighted that the Commodores are continuing their efforts to raise money for breast cancer research,” said Carlos Arteaga, M.D., director of Vanderbilt-Ingram's Breast Cancer SPORE grant from the National Cancer Institute.
“We have made important advances in our understanding and treatment of breast cancer, but too many women are still dying from aggressive forms of this disease. This financial support is critical for advancing our research in order to find innovative approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat breast cancer.”
The fund-raiser is part of Vanderbilt's Baskets for Benefits program, which supported the American Red Cross and United Way during January games and will support the American Heart Association on Feb. 7.
Fans can find the Baskets for Benefits Pink Out! pledge form online at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Web site, www.vicc.org. Or visit the Athletics Department Web site at www.vucommodores.com, click on Sports and Women's Basketball. Download the form, which must be mailed or faxed to the address on the form, to receive the free tickets.
Fans receive more than satisfaction by pledging money for breast cancer research. They can also score free tickets to the game.
Fans fill out a pledge form and for each $1 pledged, they receive four free tickets to the Valentine's Day game. The dollar amount of each pledge is multiplied by the number of successful free throws. For example, if the pledge is $1 and the Vanderbilt women make 14 free throws, the fan will make a $14 donation to be sent in after the game.