Press Release : Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund

ATLANTA - The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund®, in partnership with The V Foundation for Cancer Research, announced a $100,000 research grant which will support breast cancer research at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center at the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas.

"Coach Yow was very passionate about women's basketball and finding a cure for cancer," said Marsha Sharp, Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund Executive Director. "It is very fitting to present a research grant at the site of the NCAA® Women's Final Four®, the pinnacle of women's basketball, each year to uphold the legacy of Coach Yow and to continue to fight this disease in her honor."

Rajeshwar Rao Tekmal, Ph.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the UT Health Science Center, received a ceremonial check from Sharp and Nick Valvano, Chief Executive Officer of The V Foundation. Dr. Tekmal, Principal Investigator of this grant, will present his research on Dec. 12, 2009, to the largest scientific meeting in the world devoted to breast cancer research.

“I am honored that The V Foundation for Cancer Research and Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund chose to support my research,” said Dr. Tekmal. “I am trying to prevent the tragedy that Kay Yow faced—battling breast cancer that keeps coming back."

The announcement was made at the NCAA's "100 Days Out" press conference. In addition to the announcement of a substantial grant for further cancer research in San Antonio, the news conference also previewed many fan interactive events which the San Antonio community can take advantage of as part of the NCAA Women's Final Four which will be played in approximately 100 days.

Each year the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund will award a grant to the host city of the NCAA® Women's Final Four®.

About the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund
The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund® is a 501 c(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women’s cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause. Donations can be made at www.JimmyV.org or by calling 1-800-4JimmyV. All donations are tax deductible.  For more information, visit www.wbca.org/kayyowwbcacancerfund.asp. 

About The V Foundation
The V Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to saving lives by helping to find a cure for cancer. The Foundation seeks to make a difference by generating broad-based support for cancer research and by creating an urgent awareness among all Americans of the importance of the war against cancer. The V Foundation performs these dual roles through advocacy, education, fundraising and philanthropy.

About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women’s basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls.  For additional information about the WBCA, please visit wbca.org.