Jan. 31, 2008

Loudonville, N.Y. - On Friday evening the Siena women's basketball team will host Saint Peter's at 7 p.m. at the Alumni Recreation Center in their annual breast cancer awareness game. The Saints have teamed up with the Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer (CRAAB!) for the annual "Think Pink" game. All fans who wear pink to the game will receive $2 off admission. A portion of all the proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to CRAAB!

Prior to tip-off, 16 local breast cancer survivors will be honored by the Saints in a pre-game ceremony, recognizing them for their successful battle against the disease. Members of both teams will wear commemorative pink shirts during pre-game warm-ups as part of the MAAC Fights Back Against Breast Cancer.

At halftime, The Saints will also honor Dr. Patricia Brown, who fell victim to cancer. Dr. Brown served the Siena College biology department for 35 years. She inspired colleagues and students with her passion for teaching and her endless energy to create change. The Patricia Brown Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to three area youths who came up with the most creative support greeting cards. The winners will be given scholarships to a Siena Sports Camp of their choice.

Throughout the game, CRAAB! will have tables and displays set up around the gym with vital information on the fight against breast cancer.

In addition, all fans who attend the game will be presented a coupon good for free admission to the Saints game on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the ARC against Marist. Siena will aim to "Pack the House" and great prizes will be distributed throughout the afternoon.

CRAAB! is a non-profit, community-based organization created in 1997 to help women make better informed decisions about their health by a diverse group of survivors, volunteers and advocates, including co-founder the late Patricia Brown of Siena College.

"Think Pink" was created by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) to help raise breast cancer awareness. The "Think Pink" initiative has grown from approximately 120 institutions participating in the inaugural 2007 campaign to over 650 and counting for 2008.

The WBCA also teamed up with long time North Carolina State women's basketball coach Kay Yow to form the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund on December 3, 2007. It is the first ever health initiative ever adopted by the WBCA and established under The V Foundation. Donations for the fund can be made by visiting www.JimmyV.org or by calling 1-800-4JimmyV.