The KU women's team and Kansas Athletics will work to raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer when they take part in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s (WBCA) “Think Pink” initiative on Sunday, Feb. 17. Kansas will play host to Nebraska at 2 p.m. in a game that will see both teams dress in pink and white uniforms in an effort to raise breast cancer awareness.

The “Think Pink” initiative is a global, unified effort to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. In just its second year, the initiative has grown to 600 participating schools nationwide.

Kansas Athletics will donate $1 to the Breast Cancer Center at Lawrence Memorial Hospital for every fan in attendance to support breast cancer treatment and research. In addition, the first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a free pink T-shirt courtesy of Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

“We are proud to join in the effort to create awareness, educate and raise money to help fight breast cancer,” said coach Bonnie Henrickson.

Breast cancer incidence rates declined by 3.5 percent per year from 2001 to 2004. Treatment and research funding is critical to ensure this downward trend continues. In 2007 alone, doctors diagnosed an estimated 240,510 new cases of breast cancer in the U.S.

Tickets may be purchased in person at the Allen Field House ticket office, over the phone at 800-34-HAWKS or online at www.kuathletics.com.

More ways Kansans can help

You can choose to take part in the fight against breast cancer with a donation on your Kansas income tax form to the Kansas Breast Cancer Research Fund. Your gift brings the latest breast cancer prevention and treatment to the women of Kansas. To learn more, visit www.fileandfight.com.

Another way you can show your support for breast cancer awareness is with the Kansas Breast Cancer Research and Outreach license plate. This distinctive tag will display your commitment to those affected by breast cancer and help patients in Kansas battle this devastating disease. Click here to purchase your license plate through KU Endowment.