1000 x 90

Appalachian State Women’s Basketball Team Visits Seby B. Jones Cancer Center Before Think Pink Game

Feb. 13, 2014. The Appalachian State Women’s Basketball team took a break from the hardwood last week to visit Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center. 

The Mountaineers, led by head coach Darcie Vincent, scheduled the visit in honor of their third annual Think Pink basketball game against UNCG on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Sandi Cassidy, Director of Oncology Services at the Cancer Center, greeted the student athletes and gave them a tour of the facility. The team asked questions, posed for pictures and exchanged hugs with staff and patients as they explored both the medical and radiation oncology units. 

1115“This Think Pink game is about so much more than basketball,” said Coach Vincent. “It’s about celebrating life and showcasing our love and support for these families impacted by this disease.”

Perhaps the most meaningful moment of their visit took palce when the team visited the patients in the chemotherapy infusion room. These patients, often confined to their treatment chairs for hours at a time, were delighted to share a moment of encouragement with the lady Mountaineers. During the visit, the team distributed goodie bags and invitations to attend their Think Pink Play4Kay basketball game

The Think Pink game day will feature a double header with the ladies playing at 1:30 p.m. and the men at 4:30 p.m. against Wofford. Admission to the games is free, but the lady Mountaineers hope fans will donate to the Play4Kay Kay Yow Cancer Fund at the door. 

Play4Kay, established in honor of former NC State Women’s basketball coach Kay Yow is an initiative to raise awareness about breast cancer and funds for research on the court, across campuses and in communities. Last year, $4,000 was raised in support of breast cancer research through the Think Pink basketball games.

“My dad is a cancer survivor,” said sophomore, biology major Ashley Bassett-Smith. “I think it’s wonderful that as a team we can give back to the medical community and be a part of something bigger than ourselves.