Thousands of Women's Basketball Referees to Wear Pink Whistles February 8-17; 'Calling For a Cure' Program to Raise Funds for Cance...( Referees to Donate Portions of Gam...),Health

Referees to Donate Portions of Game Checks to Benefit the Kay Yow/WBCA

Cancer Fund

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Approximately 4,000 referees will storm women's basketball courts February 8-17 to raise funds for cancer research and raise the bar on cancer awareness. Women's NCAA Division I, II & III; NJCAA Division I, II & III; NAIA; and high school referees will be "Calling for a Cure" by using pink whistles during the games in conjunction with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) "Think Pink" initiative. Referees will donate portions of their game checks to benefit the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.

"'Calling for a Cure' is a unique awareness and fundraising program, one best suited to involve the women and men who run the basketball courts each and every game," said Michelle Perry, Director of NCAA Division I basketball. "And even before tip-off of 'Think Pink' week, I'm pleased to announce that hundreds of women's basketball referees have already generously donated significant portions of their game checks."

The WBCA began "Think Pink" in 2007 as an initiative to raise breast cancer awareness in women's basketball, on campuses, and in communities. In 2007, more than 120 schools unified for this effort and helped make the inaugural year of the WBCA's "Think Pink" a success. The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer fund was established in partnership with the V Foundation and is committed to the fight against cancer through fundraising for cancer research, assisting the underserved and less fortunate, and unifying people for a common cause. The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund was brought to light on December 3, 2007, during the Jimmy V Classic.

Scott Sloyer, CEO of Foundations Resource Group and a college basketball referee, worked with the NCAA and the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund to develop the program to involve referees nationwide. FRG also works to raise funds for Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer
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