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The Ventura College Women's Basketball Team and the Ventura College Psychology Club are joining the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's national Think Pink fight against breast cancer by hosting a day of Breast Cancer Awareness on February 13. All proceeds raised during the event will be contributed to the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation, a local 501(c)3 charitable organization.

 

More than 600 schools have already committed to participating in the 2008 WBCA's "Think Pink" initiative. Last year 120 schools participated, so the event has grown significantly. Each school may choose their own activities to raise awareness. Many schools have partnered with local charities to make any donations raised through the WBCA's "Think Pink" initiative at their individual school.

 

The WBCA's "Think Pink" initiative is a global, unified effort for the WBCA's nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. The week set aside for this year's initiative is February 8 - 17, however many schools are participating outside of that window due to scheduling conflicts.

 

In the morning, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m., breast cancer survivor, author and educator Lisa Barreto will speak to the Human Sexuality Class about breast cancer and its impact. The event will be held in the Ventura College theatre, and is free to all attendees.

 

During the day, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Quad on the Ventura College campus, various local organizations involved in the detection and treatment of breast cancer, health and wellness and support groups will have information tables; families and friends of victims and survivors will have the opportunity to make large Valentines' Day hearts to honor those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer; and LIVE 105.5 will provide music.

Contributions to the Ribbons for Life Breast Cancer Foundation will be collected at both the daytime event and the game that evening. All donors to the Ribbons for Life Breast Cancer Foundation will receive a pink ribbon from either one of the players or one of the members of the Psychology Club.

 

In the evening, the Ventura College women's basketball team will play the Moorpark women's basketball team beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Athletic Event Center. There will be a silent auction of sports memorabilia, specially printed t-shirts and sweatshirts, and donated items from retailers in the community. In addition, at half-time, there will be a 50/50 raffle, a special acknowledgement of those who have encountered breast cancer and a Survivor's Victory Lap around the gym floor. All fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game to honor breast cancer victims. Both teams will be acknowledging this special event.

 

Thus far, several WBCA partners and sponsors have chosen to get involved in the WBCA's "Think Pink" initiative. ESPN has joined the initiative by dedicating their annual "February Frenzy" women's college basketball games on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com to promoting breast cancer awareness. They will support the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund in partnership with The V Foundation by directing fans to contribute to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund through the V Foundation 800 number (1-800-4JIMMYV) and website at www.jimmyv.org . February Frenzy will showcase eight regionalized games within two telecast windows for the biggest regular-season day in women's college basketball on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET, respectively. There are approximately 50 televised games overall dedicated to the WBCA's "Think Pink".

The NCAA has also joined the WBCA's "Think Pink" initiative by implementing the "Calling for a Cure" campaign where all NCAA women's basketball officials will be blowing a pink whistle February 8-17. Additionally, officials are encouraged to make a donation to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.

 

WBCA sponsors Russell Athletic and Nike are also on board with the initiative, providing numerous schools with pink uniforms and apparel. They are donating a portion of any proceeds to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. Petrocelli Marketing provided products to all participating schools, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, wristbands among other products with a portion of their proceeds also benefiting the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.

 

Local sponsors for the Ventura College event include Gold Coast Broadcasting, the Ventura County Star, the VC Reporter, Lazer Broadcasting, Long's Drug #231 on Ashwood Avenue, and the Ventura College Foundation.

Any potential donors to the silent auction should contact Assistant Coach Robin Hester at 805-654-6400 ext. 3271.

For additional information:

1) on the national Think Pink event: wbca.org/thinkpink.asp,

2) on the Ventura College Think Pink event: VCweplayhard.com

3) on Ribbons of Life: ribbonsventura.org.

4) on Ventura College: venturacollege.edu.

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YourNews contains stories posted by members of the public.

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