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WildCats will join others across the nation in support of the WBCA's Pink Zone Initiative
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Lynchburg, VA -- The Randolph College Women's Basketball team will host the second annual "Locks of Love" event Feb. 14 during the ODAC matchup against Bridgewater College at 3:00 p.m. in an effort to raise money and "ponytails" for cancer awareness.
The team will join others across the nation as part of a unified effort by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)'s Pink Zone Initiative.
The WBCA began the WBCA Pink Zone, formerly known as "Think Pink", in 2007 as an initiative to raise breast cancer awareness in women's basketball, on campuses and in communities. In 2007, more than 120 schools unified for this effort and helped make the inagural year a success. In 2008, over 1,200 teams and organizations participated, reaching over 830,000 fans and raising over $930,000 for breast cancer awareness and research.
"It is important to us as a team that we give what we can," said Head Coach Melissa Wiggins. "We are blessed with healthy bodies and we play a game we love. We want to use that forum to bring awareness to two great causes. I am very proud of our team's commitment to this project , and we plan to make it our annual fund raiser and community service event."
Participants have two options for participating in the fundraising event for the Locks of Love and WBCA/Kay Yow Cancer Fund. A professional hair stylist will offer basic hair cuts before the game and during halftime for a minimal cost ($10 adults, $5 children).
Those wishing to support the Locks of Love campaign can also make a "ponytail" donation. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that uses these donations to provide hairpieces to financially disadvantage children under the age of 18 who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have been diagnosed with alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure.
Hair must be at least 10 inches measured from tip to tip once cut.
During last year's event, 22 ponytails were donated to Locks of Love, including five from the women's basketball team. The event was orgainzed by junior Katie Rechnitzer, a member of the WildCat basketball team.
The Valentine's Day game will feature special giveaways, raffles and much more. There is no admission to the event, and all fans are asked to join with the team, coaches, and sports officials in wearing pink in support of cancer awareness.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Locks of Love and the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. For more information on Locks of Love (including hair donation requirements) see: http://www.locksoflove.org/. For more information on the WBCA's initiative, please see: http://www.wbca.org/KayYowWBCACancerFund.asp.
CONTACT: Vince Scalzo, Sports Information Director
