The SUNY Potsdam women’s basketball team will participate in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Pink Zone event this Saturday, Feb. 12, in a 6 p.m. home game against Oswego.

The Bears will join college teams across the nation over the next two weeks to raise awareness and funds for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, an organization in partnership with the V Foundation dedicated to raising money for scientific research aimed at fighting against women’s cancers.

The athletic department will sell pink t-shirts at the main gym entrance for $10 per shirt, with 100 percent of proceeds to benefit the Kay Yow Fund. Donations will also be accepted at the door.

“Breast cancer is something that affects just about everyone in the nation in some way,” Potsdam coach Tara Ruckh said. “We’re looking forward to getting the SUNY Potsdam community involved in fighting this deadly disease. Coach Yow is a very well-respected figure in women’s basketball and the fight against cancer and it is an honor to donate in her memory.”

Yow, a former head coach at North Carolina State, died in January 2009 after three separate bouts with breast cancer. She served as a catalyst for starting the WBCA Pink Zone in 2006.

Last season, over 1,800 participants raised over $1 million dollars. Overall, the Pink Zone initiative has raised nearly $3.3 million and reached over 2.7 million fans.

To learn more about the WBCA Pink Zone, visit http://www.wbca.org/2011pinkzone/.