RALEIGH, N.C. --- The Moravian College women's basketball team has been named as the NCAA Division III winner of the 2015 Kay Yow Cancer Fund Play 4Kay fundraiser with over $17,000 raised in 2015, the seventh straight year that the Greyhounds' program has led NCAA Division III schools in Play 4Kay.
Each year, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund® rewards participating teams that raise the most money in each division in the Play 4Kay for the fund in partnership with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Moravian raised $17,038 this year, the top amount from an NCAA Division III school. Moravian was also the top NCAA Division III team in 2014 with $12,573, in 2013 with $16,210, in 2012 with $12,025, in 2011 with $5,825 and in 2010 at $6,100. The Greyhounds had a total of $5,200 in 2009 to give Moravian a total of $74,971 raised over the last seven years.
"We are extremely proud of our accomplishment over the past 7 years at Moravian College," stated Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "Most of all we are honored to be a part of something in a small way to help to fight this terrible disease called cancer. Unfortunately, everyone has been affected by cancer in their lives and to help in finding a cure is really what drives our team, community and school in raising money each year. The coaches and players at Moravian embrace the challenge to help raise money and find a cure. Thank you to the Kay Yow Cancer fund in rallying the women's basketball community in fighting the battle. We will not stop until a cure is found."
Moravian's coaching staff along with the coaching staffs from North Carolina State University (NCAA Division I), Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.) University (NCAA Division II), Faulkner (Ala.) University (NAIA), Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College (JC/CC), Akin (Texas) Elementary School (National 4-12) and Harrells Christian Academy (North Carolina K-12) will be recognized at the 2015 Wow 4You event at the Women's Basketball Coaches Association National Convention during the NCAA Division I Final Four in Tampa, Florida.
"The 2015 Play 4Kay Campaign was a testament to the women's basketball community's commitment to the mission of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund," said Kay Yow Cancer Fund Executive Director Sue Donohoe. "Coach Yow strongly believed that coaches and their student-athletes share not only a community, but should also share in a cause much larger than any game or score on the scoreboard. Coach Yow's vision for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the Play 4Kay Campaign encompassed not only her wish to raise funds in support of women's cancer research, but also her desire for coaches and their players to enrich their lives by serving others."
From February 13 to 23, teams from across the country participated in Play 4Kay games and made donations to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Coach Yow believed strongly that the sporting community had an incredible opportunity to use its shared sense of purpose, passion and camaraderie to support a cause much larger than the game. It was her goal, through the Play 4Kay initiative, to unite coaches, student-athletes and fans in the fight against women's cancers.
Moravian is the only seven-time winner in the seven-year history of the contest.
Since the Fund's inception in 2007, more than $4.18 million has been allocated in support of women's cancer research and related projects.
For more information about the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and its annual Play 4Kay® initiative, visit www.kayyow.com and follow #Play4Kay.
To donate or learn more about the Play 4Kay initiative, visit http://www.play4kay.org.
About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and Play 4Kay Initiative
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women's cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved, and unifying people for a common cause. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund or to make a donation, please visit www.kayyow.com or www.play4kay.org.
About the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. For more information on the WBCA, please visit www.wbca.org.
About The V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has funded more than $130 million in cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs. Due to generous donors, the Foundation has an endowment that covers administrative expenses. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on The V Foundation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.
