According to the National Cancer Institute, two million Americans are diagnosed with cancer each year. The Coaches vs. Cancer program’s goal is to unite people to defeat cancer. It is an organization between the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).
The American Cancer Society invites high school and college teams to participate in fundraising and education initiatives to put an end to cancer.
Foran is one of the high schools in support of Coaches vs. Cancer. They support the cause through a game against Jonathan Law High School every year.
Senior Boys Basketball Captain Kasen Lanese has been playing on the basketball team since his freshman year.
Lanese says, “I feel great being able to play in a game that helps raise money and unites the community.”
The Coaches vs. Cancer game is between both varsity basketball teams from each school. There are two games, boys and girls, between Foran and Law. This helps raise more for the cause and gain more support.
Junior Girls Basketball Captain, Gracie Brooks, says, “My favorite part of being able to play in the game is to face some of the people from Law that I know and to see everyone come together to support breast cancer.”
The basketball coaches and athletic directors from both schools collaborate to organize and make this event possible. Mr. Jamie Anderson, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Law, appreciates being a part of this event.
Anderson says, “I love being involved in this game because we have an opportunity to play for something bigger than ourselves, our teams and our schools. Being able to create more awareness and raise some funds, is what it’s all about.”
Though Foran has been supporting this cause for eight years, the Coaches vs. Cancer collaboration was established in 1993. In 30 years, coaches across the country have raised $155 million dollars for the ACS.
The original inspiration to start the collaboration between ACS and NABC was a college basketball coach, Norm Stewart, who was a cancer survivor. That inspiration turned into an organization that is now supported nationwide.
The funds raised from this program go to cancer research, and patient support. This gives the American Cancer Society the ability to provide patient programs and services, places for them to stay and transportation during treatment.
The mission between ACS and NABC is to increase cancer awareness and support the mission to fight and save lives through fundraising by students, teachers, adults, fans, and the community.
Help support the cause by attending the game on January 24 at Jonathan Law.
