RALEIGH, N.C. --- The Moravian University women's basketball program has been named as the NCAA Division III winner of the 2022 Kay Yow Cancer Fund Play4Kay fundraiser with $18,050 raised in 2022, the 14th consecutive year that the Greyhounds have led NCAA Division III schools in Play4Kay.

"The coaching staff and players are delighted to hear the news that we topped NCAA Division III for the 14th consecutive year," commented Head Women's Basketball Coach and Director of Athletics & Recreation Mary Beth Spirk. "We are proud to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. It was extra special this year to have Jenny Palmateer, VP of Program Development from the Fund and Jennifer Montoya, Director of Play4Kay join us for our game and reception after the game. We are fortunate to be able to have the means to raise money because of our loyal alumni, parents, faculty, staff and fans from Moravian.

"I would also like to personally thank Sara Steinman and the Springfield Athletic Association in New Jersey who have been a huge part of our efforts over the years," Spirk continued. "Together our team and the Kay Yow fund hope to continue to contribute to find a cure for this horrible disease."

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 winter, Moravian raised $18,050, the top amount from an NCAA Division III school, to give the program a total of $198,076 donated to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund over the last 14 years. The Greyhounds raised $6,683 in 2021, $19,053 in 2020, $19,480 in 2019, $19,657 during 2018 and $21,662 in 2017, the most raised by the Hounds 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, in 2010 at $6,100 and a first-year total of $5,200 in 2009.

"To be the Division III Play4Kay Fundraiser winner for the 14th consecutive year showcases the importance of the cause to the Moravian community," stated senior forward Kayla Yoegel. "I am grateful to be a part of a team and university that is committed to raising funds to help find a cure for such a fantastic organization!"

Other 2022 Play4Kay Divisional winners were the Illinois State University (NCAA Division I BCS), Illinois State University (NCAA Division I non-BCS), Anderson University (NCAA Division II), Faulkner (Ala.) University (NAIA), Dawson (Mt.) Community College (JC/CC) and Grace Christian (Raleigh, N.C.) High School (National 4-12). Illinois state is the first mid-major to win both the BCS and Non-BCS national awards.

All the award winners will be honored at the Wow4Yow Appreciation event and the closing session of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's nation convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Women's Basketball Final Four this weekend.

This year is extra special as all award recipients are repeat winners, signifying each community's ongoing commitment to impacting the lives of women battling cancer.

"We are most appreciative of our divisional winners, who embody the true spirit of Play4Kay – to serve others," said Stephanie Glance, CEO of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. "What an incredible impact each of these teams is making in the fight against cancer and in the lives of the survivors they inspire and uplift each year in their own communities."

Moravian is the only 14-time winner in the 14-year history of the contest.

Since the Fund's inception in 2007, more than $7.88 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 Play4Kay Campaign

The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on December 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization's namesake, Kay Yow, former NC State University head women's basketball coach. Coach Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease on January 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 ALL women's cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved, and unifying people for a common cause. To date, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund has awarded $7.78 million in the fight against ALL women's cancers. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, or to donate, please visit www.kayyow.com.