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 Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Bryce Jordan Center for second annual Coaches Vs. Cancer "Band Together" Day as Penn State takes on Nebraska in a 1 p.m. tip live on the ESPNU.
Penn State will welcome all cancer survivors, their families and friends with up to four free tickets each for the game (while supplies last) vs. the Huskers. 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 Coaches vs. Cancer-Penn State and encourages all fans in attendance to get a "Band Together" Rally Towel at the door and unite as a community in the fight against cancer. Fans can get their $3 "Band Together" Rally Towel at any Jordan Center gate on game day. All proceeds from the sale of "Band Together" Rally Towels will go directly to Coaches Vs. Cancer-Penn State, which has raised more than $1.7 million in the last 16 years to fight cancer and provide direct assistance to those fighting the disease in the community.
There will also be a silent auction featuring signed memorabilia from Penn State and regional sports greats on the concourse 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 want to bring the fight against cancer to the forefront," first-year Penn State coach Patrick Chambers said. "I want to make sure that people know that I’m on board and we are working very hard with Coaches vs. Cancer to do whatever we can to beat cancer. There is a very strong community here and a lot of people engaged in this fight, both personally and through the many local organizations. We want to bring everyone together for the day to say ‘We are with you. We are fighting with you.’"
Groups are encouraged to take advantage of Penn State’s special basketball group ticket rates of $10 for adults and $5 for youth for groups of 15 fans or more by calling 1-800-NITTANY or visiting GoPSUsports.com or through Ticketmaster.
Coaches vs. Cancer-Penn State has raised more than $1.7 million in the last 16 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 (Sun., Feb. 12; 11 a.m-3 p.m.), CVC 5k Fun Run/Walk (Sat., March 17), the 17th Annual Coaches Vs. Cancer Celebrity Golf Tournament (Fri., June 1), Brew Fest (August), CVC Reverse Car Drawing (September) and the Bestwick Foundation Bike For Life (Sun., Sept. 30).
Coaches vs. Cancer-Penn State, now in its 17th year, raised more than $200,000 last year for the second-straight year and has netted nearly $1 million in the last five years alone. CVC-Penn State ranked as the sixth highest fundraiser among Coaches vs. Cancer organizations nationally in 2011. Much of CVC-Penn State funds are donated directly to the American Cancer Society, 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. Some of the money raised also goes directly to assist those affected by the disease in the Centre Region through the Bob Perks Fund (BPF).
CVC-Penn State presented a check for $35,553.42 to the Bob Perks Fund in December representing the fourth-straight year the organization has presented an annual grant in excess of $35,000 to the local charity.
"We are thrilled that Coaches vs. Cancer continues to be able to keep a portion of the money raised with the support of our local sponsors and community right here in the Centre Region," said CVC-Penn State committee co-director Kent Wible. "It is a core piece of our foundation and it is amazing the impact that direct and immediate assistance with things like bills and transportation can have on individuals and families battling cancer."
CVC-Penn State has donated a total of more than $190,000 to the Bob Perks Fund, now in its sixth year providing assistance in the Centre Region. BPF provides direct assistance to individuals and families affected by cancer in Centre, Blair, Clearfield and Huntingdon counties. BPF provides financial assistance for basic necessities, such as household bills, groceries, gas and out of town lodging, which cancer patients and their families cannot afford temporarily due to their illness.
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 or group tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-NITTANY, 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 tickets for Penn State students (all campuses) are $5.