University Park, Pa. — Penn State invites all cancer survivors, their families and friends, volunteers, organizers and community leaders to "Band Together" in the fight against cancer this Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Bryce Jordan Center for Coaches Vs. Cancer Day as Penn State takes on nationally ranked Wisconsin in a 4 p.m. tip live on the Big Ten Network.
Penn State will welcome all cancer survivors and their families and friends with up to four free tickets each for the game (while supplies last) vs. the No. 17 ranked Badgers. Survivors are asked to please contact Nathan Leopard (Nathan.Leopard@cancer.org, 814-234-1023) of the American Cancer Society (ACS) to make ticket arrangements.
Penn State Athletics will donate $3 from every ticket sold to the game to Penn State Coaches vs. Cancer and encourages all fans in attendance to don a "Band Together" headband as the community unites in the fight against cancer. Penn State coach Ed DeChellis, his staff, Nittany Lion players, chearleaders, dance team, band and everyone involved in the game will be sporting white "Band Together" headbands in a symbolic uniting of will to defeat the disease which has affected so many.
Fans can get their $2 "Band Together" headband at any Jordan Center gate on game day. All proceeds from the sale of "Band Together" headbands will go directly to Penn State Coaches Vs. Cancer and its local distribution arm the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund (BCAF). Penn State CVC has contributed over $120,000 to BCAF in the past three years and BCAF has distributed more than $260,000 locally in the last three years to help those affected by cancer in the Centre Region. There will also be a silent auction on the concourse featuring signed memorabilia from Penn State and regional sports greats and a moving halftime ceremony highlighting survivors and the many volunteer groups in the Centre Region who have taken on the fight against cancer.
"We wanted to use the opportunity and platform that we have of a game at the Jordan Center to show our support for those battling cancer in the community and shine a light on the many groups who have been dedicated in the fight against cancer," said Penn State coach Ed DeChellis, a cancer survivor himself. "We have a very strong community and a lot of very strong people out there fighting this disease and we wanted to bring them all together, raise some money, but also, and maybe more importantly, tie everyone together in one place and have a tangible moment that says "you’re not in this alone. There are a lot of people in this fight together."
Penn State Coaches vs. Cancer has raised more than $1.5 million in the last 15 years to fight cancer and help support those affected by the disease. It has grown from an annual golf tournament started in the summer of 1996 to a year-round schedule of events, which this year includes the Spikes Fest (Feb. 12), CVC 5k Fun Run/Walk (March 26), the 16th Annual Coaches Vs. Cancer Celebrity Golf Tournament (June 3), Microbrewer’s Expo (Aug. 20) and the CVC Reverse Car Drawing (Sept. 22).
Penn State Coaches vs. Cancer raised a record of more than $207,000 last year and has netted more than $850,000 in the last five years alone. Much of the money raised goes directly to assist those affected by the disease in the Centre Region through BCAF. Funds are also donated directly to the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society is the largest non-profit funder of cancer research, with over $30 million in research taking place in Pennsylvania each year, including three research grants totaling over $2.1 million at Penn State University.
"The growth of our Coaches vs. Cancer organization here at Penn State over the past five years or so has been amazing," DeChellis said. "It’s really a testament to our terrific sponsors, a motivated and committed committee and our strong community here which supports the events and understands the great amount of good their support can provide."
To get involved in any of Penn State Coaches vs. Cancer’s events or become a sponsor or volunteer please visit www.CVCPENNSTATE.org or call 814-330-3337.
Nittany Lion Basketball single-game tickets are available by calling 814-865-5555, visiting GoPSUsports.com or through Ticketmaster. Single-game tickets are $18 for the lower bowl and $15 for upper level tickets for adults. Youth tickets (18 and under) are $7 for the lower bowl and $5 for upper level seating, while Penn State student tickets (all campuses) are $5 for any of the 19 home contests.