Jan. 29, 2008

Click Here for a T-Shirt Order Form

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State's gymnastics team invites fans, friends and family to share in their efforts to help raise funds for the fight against breast cancer when the Aggies host Denver on Friday, Feb. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Awareness is the first step towards the fight against breast cancer and the Utah State Women's gymnastics team is taking steps to help support the Cure!

Fans are encouraged to wear pink as a show of support for the brave individuals battling cancer. The first 100 fans wearing pink will receive an official Flip and Stick For A Cure visor sponsored by the Logan Regional Hospital Foundation.

Pink T-shirts are also on sale for $10 and the Aggies will donate $3 back to the Logan Regional Hospital Foundation.

"There is not anyone we know who has not been affected by breast cancer or cancer for that matter. We want to do what we can to help prevent breast cancer and to support and bring hope to those undergoing treatment," USU head coach Ray Corn said. "My hope is that everyone participates in such a great cause to help make a difference in the fight against this terrible disease."

All T-shirts are $10. Please make your check or money order payable to USU Gymnastics. To order or for more information, contact the USU Gymnastics Office at 435-797-0666 or via e-mail at dkozlow@cc.usu.edu.

In addition to proceeds from tickets and the T-shirts, fans can also make donations to the Logan Regional Hospital Foundation at the Flip and Stick for a Cure event which will help fund breast cancer education and information for Cache Valley residents through the education center of the new Logan Regional Hospital Cancer Treatment Center, opening this spring.

"Studies show that education is key to breast cancer prevention and survival," said Douglas E. Thompson, executive director of the Logan Regional Hospital Foundation.

A 2003 study reported in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, for example, showed that the breast cancer survival at Harlem Hospital increased from 39 percent to 70 percent after the hospital implemented the role of "cancer navigators" to provide medical guidance and information to cancer patients. In another study cited in the 1996 Journal of the National Cancer Institute, education and cancer knowledge were identified as two variables significantly associated with cancer patient survival.

"We appreciate the financial support from USU Gymnastics' Flip and Stick for a Cure event to help further breast cancer education and information for Cache Valley residents through our new Cancer Treatment Center," Thompson said.

The Logan Regional Hospital Cancer Treatment Center is scheduled to open May of 2008. The center will provide radiation oncology therapy and other cancer treatment services for hundreds of Cache Valley patients each year. Currently, local cancer patients needing radiation oncology therapy have to leave the valley for these services. The Cancer Treatment Center will also include an education center with access to the latest cancer information and research.

Gymnastics tickets are available through the USU Ticket Office at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, online at www.UtahStateAggies.com and clicking on "tickets" in left column, or by calling 1-888-U-STATE-1 or (435) 797-0305.

-USU-