‘Hoops for Hope’ Increases Cancer Awareness
The Ohio Wesleyan women's basketball team will host a 'Hoops for Hope' tournament December 29-30. The event will raise funds for cancer research. (Photo by Doug Sampson)
It is a stark reality, but one in eight women living in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime, and by the end of this year, close to 240,000 new cases will be diagnosed. So when a women’s basketball tournament such as “Hoops for Hope” comes along, it not only helps to strengthen the coffers for much needed research, but also lifts spirits and the resolve necessary to stand up to this disease.
For the fifth year, Ohio Wesleyan will be hosting the tournament in Branch Rickey Arena on December 29-30. Organized by Stacey Ungashick Reed, head coach of the Battling Bishops women’s basketball team, Hoops for Hope will raise money for breast cancer research, awareness, and education.
During the first game at 6 p.m. December 29, Ohio Wesleyan (last year’s runner-up in the championship game) will play Penn State-DuBois. At 8 p.m., Ursuline will face Marietta. On December 30, the consolation game will begin at 1 p.m. and the championship game at 3 p.m.
Admission to the tournament games is free, with monetary donations accepted to benefit the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund that supports scientific research for women’s cancers. The fund operates in partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Reed shares that downtown Delaware’s Amato’s Woodfired Pizza will be the corporate sponsor for the next three years.
“We are excited about this partnership,” says Reed, emphasizing the importance of this community event during the holiday season. “The [tournament] is a good way for us to support and raise money for a good cause.”