October 29, 2003
Contact: Amanda Brickell
'xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = 'urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags' />HAMILTON, N.Y. ‘ The 91Â鶹¾«Æ· women’s basketball team devotes a great deal of its time off the court to causes that make a difference. The Raiders recently joined forces with 91Â鶹¾«Æ· President Rebecca Chopp and Professor Ellen Kraly in the battle against breast cancer. Chopp and Kraly plan to climb Mt. Baker in June as a part of the 2004 Climb to Fight Breast Cancer.
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Each summer breast cancer research supporters join together to climb various Pacific Northwest peaks in honor or memory of loved ones who have battled breast cancer. Both women’s families have been directly affected by breast cancer and the two jumped at the chance to participate when Kraly’s son, who is doing cancer research at the University of Washington, made them aware of the event.
The duo hopes to raise over $6,000 dollars for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Raiders have taken on the task of fundraising half of the donation. The team has raised nearly $825 after hosting a fifty-fifty raffle and a bake sale at the last two home football games. The Raiders will continue to raise money for the cause throughout their season by hosting various fundraisers at home basketball games.
The Raiders only recently joined Kraly and Chopp’s cause, but they are no strangers to community service. For the past three years, the team has been paying holiday visits to the Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin, N.Y. The players and coaches visit with the residents, many of whom are physically handicapped, and coordinate various holiday events or assist with everyday tasks like reading mail.
In addition, the team will be hosting a kid’s night out on Nov. 1 for some of its younger fans. The players will be welcoming a group of over 250 children in grades K-8 to Reid Athletic Center for a fun-filled night of sports, movies, swimming, arts & crafts, and bowling.
Giving back to others not only helps the players and coaches to develop a consciousness of the needs of the community, it also allows 91Â鶹¾«Æ· basketball to say thank you for the support that members of the community have given to the program. Anyone interested in supporting the team’s fundraising efforts or wishing to participate in the Kid’s Night Out should contact assistant coach Victoria Best at (315) 228-6999.