Similar to a championship-level basketball team, the Methodist University community worked together to rise to the occasion – raising more than $18,000 in the fight against women’s cancer.
Similar to a championship-level basketball team, the Methodist University community worked together to rise to the occasion – raising more than $18,000 in the fight against women’s cancer.
On Saturday, MU hosted its 18th annual Play4Kay weekend, an initiative that stems from the life of prominent North Carolina State University women’s basketball coach Kay Yow, who died in 2009 after a 22-year battle with breast cancer.
Methodist University’s Play4Kay weekend included two well-known events – the Play4Kay 5K Run/Walk and the Play4Kay women’s basketball game – both of which helped collect the donations for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center.
“Methodist University is grateful for the continuous support from our community in our pledge to fight women’s cancers,” said Dee Jarman, deputy director of athletics at MU. “The greater Fayetteville businesses, along with the Methodist University community, significantly contribute to saving precious lives within our community and beyond. Thank you for your tremendous support and passion for our Play4Kay events.”
The University’s renowned Physician Assistant Studies Program organized the Play4Kay 5K Run/Walk at Monarch Stadium on Saturday morning – allowing dozens of students, faculty, staff, and members of the Fayetteville community to get a refreshing workout while donating funds to the Play4Kay cause.
“This is a great event,” said Allyson Vermette, a Physician Assistant Studies student who is expected to graduate in December of 2024. “It’s important to not only recognize the impact that cancer has on our community, but it’s also important to recognize our survivors, family members, and caregivers this weekend.”
Later in the afternoon, hundreds of people filled March F. Riddle Center for the women’s basketball game against Meredith College. Before tipoff, fans could participate in a silent auction that offered dozens of unique items including a Play4Kay uniform, framed basketball team photo, golf putter, spirit basket, dining gift cards, homemade blankets, and more.
One of the most touching moments comes at halftime every year when the University honors more than a dozen breast cancer survivors at center court – bringing the entire crowd to their feet in loud applause.
“The fact that Methodist University hosts this event is nice because we do have a large community of cancer survivors,” said Elizabeth Simmons, a nine-year breast cancer survivor who participated in the event. “I had all of my treatments at Cape Fear Valley so it’s near and dear to my heart to be able to see the donations go there.”
The week leading up to the Play4Kay events, Methodist University students participated in a variety of “Pink Week” events that also helped raise funds for the initiative – including a flower fundraiser, drive-in movie, dodgeball tournament, and chili cookoff.
To view photos from the Play4Kay 5K Run/Walk and women’s basketball game, stay tuned on the MU Flickr page later in the week. For more information about the women’s basketball game or MU athletics in general, visit the new-look athletics website.