The Fort Lewis women’s basketball team is trying to use one of its best skills in the battle against cancer.
In the month of February, the Skyhawks will donate $2 per turnover to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting all forms of cancer affecting women.
Fort Lewis is currently ranked 19th out of 291 NCAA Division II schools with 22.5 turnovers forced per game. The Skyhawks are also second in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in that statistical category.
“Our teams always wear pink in February because in NCAA women's basketball, that's the Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” Skyhawks coach Taylor Harris said. “Volleyball has October, basketball has February. So since I was at my junior college and then when I came here every February, we've picked a stat and donated a dollar amount to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, which is the big NCAA women's basketball fund that set up to raise money for breast cancer awareness.
“We're going to wear pink every game this month, the coaches are going to wear pink home or away, just as a way to raise awareness for cancers affecting women. Our slogan is ‘turn over cancer.’”
Harris said the big date to note will be Feb. 17 when Fort Lewis will play in its Pink Game at home against Western Colorado University.
The women’s basketball team is partnering with Fort Lewis athletics to raise money for Common Spirit Mercy Hospital’s Breast Care Center.
Anyone who wants to donate and join the initiative can do so online at pledgeit.org/turn-over-cancer-with-fort-lewis-women-s-basketball.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
