Feb. 3, 2005

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society are teaming up this weekend for Coaches Vs. Cancer.

Lafayette men's basketball coach Fran O'Hanlon and his staff, as well as the coaching staffs of both Bucknell and Colgate, will all be wearing white sneakers during this weekend's Patriot League contests at Kirby Sports Center to build awareness for Coaches Vs. Cancer.

"This is a great effort by the coaches to help such a great cause," O'Hanlon said. "Cancer is something that we have all been affected by, so we are glad to have the opportunity to help raise money for research."

Since 1993, Coaches Vs. Cancer has raised $23 million for the American Cancer Society's research, education, advocacy and service programs and helped increase cancer awareness across the country.

This year, Coaches vs. Cancer is turning its focus to colon cancer, the third leading cause of cancer death in men and women. Colon cancer is very curable if it is found early, so the coaches want to increase awareness that adults should undergo a battery of tests once they turn 50 so colon cancer deaths could be cut in half.

To learn more about Coaches Vs. Cancer, or to get more information about cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345, or visit their website at www.cancer.org.