RALEIGH, N.C. --- The Moravian College women's basketball team has been named as the NCAA Division III winner of the 2017 Kay Yow Cancer Fund Play 4Kay fundraiser with over $21,500 raised in 2017, the ninth consecutive year that the Greyhounds' program has led NCAA Division III schools in Play 4Kay.
"We are thrilled to be a part of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and to have Moravian lead Division III colleges in raising funds to find a cure for women's cancers," stated Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "We accept this award on behalf of everyone in the Moravian College community who joined us in our fundraising efforts."
Play4Kay is the grassroots fundraising initiative of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Its primary fundraising support comes from women's basketball teams across the country that dedicate an event to raise funds and awareness for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, an organization committed to funding women's cancer research and supporting projects that assist the underserved community.
"This week means a lot to not only me but to all of my teammates and coaches who have been personally effected by all types of cancer," commented senior guard Morgan Calabrese. "Over the past four years, I've seen the continuous efforts in orchestrating the pink out week and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be apart of it. To see everyone come together to raise money and awareness for such a great cause is truly something special."
Moravian raised $21,662 this year, the top amount from an NCAA Division III school and the most raised by the Greyhounds in a single year. Moravian was also the top NCAA Division III team in 2016 with 18,520, in 2015 with $17,038, 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 $115,153 raised over the last nine years.
"Play 4Kay week is always one of my favorite times of year," noted Sara Steinman, Director of Student Involvement at Moravian and a former player and assistant coach for the Greyhounds. "I love seeing so many people from our Moravian College community, and beyond, come together to support such an incredible cause. I am so proud to continue to join the efforts of the women's basketball team as each year we work to make the event bigger, better, and most importantly - raise even more money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. I want to thank everyone that was involved in the week - you played a major role in the success of the event. I can't believe we raised over $20,000."
To view a list of all the activities that the Greyhounds held as part of their Play 4Kay Week, visit http://moraviansports.com/sports/wbkb/2016-17/Play4Kay/index.
Moravian's coaching staff along with the coaching staffs from North Carolina State (NCAA Division I BCS), Illinois State University (NCAA Division I non-BCS), Lenoir-Rhyne University (NCAA Division II), Faulkner (Ala.) University (NAIA), Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College (JC/CC) and Akin (Texas) Elementary School (National 4-12) will be recognized at the 2017 Wow 4Yow Welcome Party at the Women's Basketball Coaches Association National Convention during the NCAA Division I Final Four in Dallas, Texas Friday evening as well as the WBCA FOCUS Sunday and Awards Ceremony.
"We are so grateful to everyone around the country for their continued support of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund's Play4Kay initiative," said Executive Director of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund Stephanie Glance. "These schools exemplify the vision of Coach Kay Yow when she created the Kay Yow Cancer Fund; and that is to unite a nation of coaches, players and communities of women's basketball to do something that far exceeds wins and losses on the court. Together, we will continue to make a significant impact in the fight against ALL women's cancer."
From February 13 to 26, teams from across the country participated in Play 4Kay games and made donations to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Moravian is the only nine-time winner in the nine-year history of the contest.
Since the Fund's inception in 2007, more than $5.38 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 and #KayYow.
About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and Play 4Kay Campaign
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on Dec. 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization's namesake Kay Yow, former N.C. State University head women's basketball coach. Coach Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease on Jan. 24, 2009. 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 funds for scientific research, assisting the underserved, and unifying people for a common cause. To date, more than $5.38 million has been allocated for women's cancer research. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund or to make a donation, please visit www.kayyow.com. Follow the Kay Yow Cancer Fund on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
