Strength. Courage. Support. Inspiration.

These are four things women’s basketball coach Kay Yow said she hopes are built at Sunday’s second annual Hoops for Hope game.

With one in seven women having or eventually developing breast cancer in her lifetime, Hoops for Hope is an annual event that hopes to raise breast cancer awareness and to raise funds for breast cancer research through ticket proceeds. Proceeds will be benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Hoops for Hope is centered around the women’s home basketball game versus Boston College. Yow emphasized the game is just a part of a bigger event.

“It is a game that will hopefully build strength, courage, support and inspiration to people who are survivors and people who are fighting cancer,” Yow said.

According to Brenda Steen, account executive for Wolfpack Sports Marketing, there will be several events surrounding the game, including a silent auction prior to the game in which a team-signed Stanley Cup Champions Carolina Hurricanes jersey, a football signed by former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher and items signed by athletes at N.C. State will be auctioned.

Also prior to the game will be “concourse displays” that will be distributing information on breast cancer detection and several promotional items including pink wristbands, lapel pins and posters. Fans in attendance will also get free shirts, until they run out.

Additionally, during halftime will be a recognition of cancer survivors in attendance.

With Yow’s recent leave of absence taken because of her battle with breast cancer and her return to the bench this week, the event couldn’t have come at a more significant time, according to senior forward Sasha Reaves.

Reaves said Yow being back on the bench provides inspiration to both the breast cancer survivors in attendance and Yow.

“She always talks about how she isn’t the only person in her situation,” Reaves said. “She doesn’t want all of the attention. I think them knowing what kind of person she is, is important to them, and I know it is important to her.”

Yow said the game was important because it gives people the opportunity to recognize those who have helped in the battle against breast cancer.

“There are many people who have supported me, and I know that there are many people who support all of the cancer survivors that will be here,” Yow said. “We help each other, and others help us. I’m glad I can be a part of it because it is an inspiration to me.”

Also, the game is significant to players on the team because of Yow’s battle and for other personal experiences, according to Reaves.

“It is a special game,” Reaves said. “For me, my grandmother went through it and passed away from it, and now coach Yow is going through it. I know a lot of people that are going through it. It is going to be a special game.”

With all of the emotions surrounding the game, Reaves said the team will be inspired to play the hardest they can for Yow and the fans in attendance.

“It should give us more of a positive motivation to go out there and play hard and battle,” Reaves said. “With coach Yow being here and the cancer survivors, that should be our motivation to come out and play harder.”