Even though the N.C. State women’s basketball team lost its battle against Maryland 65-57 on Sunday afternoon, the Wolfpack and many others continued to fight the war against breast cancer in the first ‘Hoops for Hope’ basketball game.
The event, which took place at Reynolds Coliseum, drew a crowd of 7,781 and raised more than $27,000 — over $23,000 from State and nearly $4,000 from Maryland.
Coach Kay Yow, who has survived breast cancer twice — in 1987 and again last season — said the game brings hope to people whose lives have been affected by the disease.
“It’s encouraging to everyone who has battled cancer and for the people who are battling cancer,” Yow said. “It’s about hope in every direction — we are hoping to raise money for research, we are hoping to find a cure and we are hoping to find prevention.”
During halftime, survivors of breast cancer walked onto the court, each survivor following a sign that indicated how long they had survived the disease.
Many of the people wore the pink shirts they were provided prior to the game. However, there were various other shirts, including one that said ‘Cancer Sucks.’
Yow said she was upset that she was unable to see the event.
“I’m disappointed that I missed the best ceremony of all,” Yow said. “They had all the survivors out there. I understand that there were a lot of people out there for that. That is really special, and the event really means a lot.”
Emestine Peace, a breast cancer survivor of more than one year, said being on the court at halftime and being at the game was very special for her and to all the people that were able to attend.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for survivors to come together,” Peace said. “This is something that should be done every year. It’s so special for all of us.”
She made the trip from Henderson, N.C. She added that breast cancer has altered her life, but that people like Yow inspire all of the people who have been affected by the disease.
“She is wonderful,” Peace said. “I’ve never had the chance to meet her, but I would love to. She has courage of steel, and she’s someone I look up to. I’ve learned to take things not as seriously in life. I’m upbeat all the time, and cancer does not take anything away from my life.”
Yow said having people from all walks of life really made the event special.
“It always means a lot to me when the community gets involved,” Yow said. “They have done so much for me in terms of cards, letters, calls and prayers. I’m so grateful for it. I wish I could have shaken every person’s hand and tell them ‘thank you.'”
Yow isn’t the only one who has been affected by cancer on the team.
Billie McDowell, whose mother has battled breast cancer, said the event was special for her also.
“First of all, this is a big motivator,” McDowell. “The people here are fighters, and we had to fight out there on the court. It’s a very special event, and I’m glad that they did it.”
Erin Tracy, a junior in biochemistry who has attended every home game this season, said the event brought a great atmosphere to the game.
“It’s a great idea to do this,” Tracy said. “I’m really impressed with the number of people that are at this game — I haven’t seen this many all year.”
Following the victory for the Terrapins, fourth-year coach Brenda Frese said she was very glad that team was able to participate in the game.
“We were very excited when we found out it was going to be our game,” Frese said. “We wanted to do more than just play in the game. We contributed to the event. We raised money for it so that we could help for this tremendous cause.”
Almost 213,000 men and women were diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and more than 41,000 died from the disease, according to estimates by www.cancer.org.Peace said games like this help people become aware of how serious the disease can be.
“The numbers don’t lie,” Peace said. “We need all the help that we can get. The more help we get, the better chance we have to defeat the disease.”