Burnaby, BC - The Simon Fraser University women's basketball team will host their annual Pink Zone game this Saturday, raising funds for the BC Cancer Foundation's breast cancer research.
The Clan are encouraging everyone to wear pink to the game and for every person who comes to the game, a donor will contribute $1.00 to the cause, in addition, a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales that will be donated.
"As a team, we have been doing this fundraiser for a long time," said senior guard
Carla Wyman (North Vancouver, BC). "Breast cancer impacts so many people's lives and we make it a team goal every year to try and do something to help."
There will also be a silent auction, pink t-shirts for sale and Clan freshman
Belce Yoruk (Kesan, Turkey) is collecting donations as she will shave her head after the game.
"My sister had cancer when she was 13 and it was very emotional time for me and my family," said Yoruk. "It's one of the worst disease's in the world and to watch my sister have to go through that, to see her lose her hair, especially at such a young age, it was difficult. I was 10 at the time so I couldn't do a lot to support her but when I came here and found out people cut their hair to raise money for cancer research, I thought it was something I could do to support her now."
To donate on behalf of Belce's hair cutting, click here (Note 'Belce' in the comments section)
It is also Senior's Night as the game is the last home contest for graduating players
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe (Toronto, ON),
Kristina Collins (Port Coquitlam, BC) and Wyman.
SFU will face the Northwest Nazarene Crusaders and the game will have post-season implications as heading into this weekend's games, the Clan lead NNU by one.
Raincock-Ekunwe, Collins and Wyman play their last games in the West Gym, after four years with the Clan that began with a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Championship in the 2009-10 season before the school's transition into the NCAA.
"They came in at a crucial point of the program when the roster was depleted because of our early move to the NCAA," said Head Coach
Bruce Langford. "They were forced in their second year to become leaders and they have matured into excellent student-athletes. If we could replace them with the caliber of people that they have been the program will be in good hands."
The three players started together as freshman, contributing to the Clan's fifth CIS Championship in nine years.
Since then, they have led the Clan's charge into the NCAA, starting with a seven win season in the program's first season in the NCAA in 2010-11, improving to 17 last season and 18 so far this season to go along with holding the second spot in the West Region of the USA Top 25 Coaches Poll.
Tickets for Saturday's game can be purchased by emailing tickets@sfu.ca or at the door, an hour prior to game time. Group rates are available.
Can't make it to the game? Donate by
clicking here
