Sep 23, 2008 4:58 pm US/Eastern
Basketball Coaches Raise Money To Fight Cancer
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WJZ) ―
College basketball produces its own form of drama, but it is also taking part in a real life or death situation.
Alex Demetrick reports, Tuesday they joined forces with congress and survivors of cancer, to take on an opponent that kills.
When the University of Maryland plays, Coach Gary Williams knows he's being seen by a lot of people.
In fact, he and other college coaches are counting on it, to draw fans of their game to a cause bigger than basketball.
"We have a big breakfast at the University of Maryland. Syracuse has a gala ball. Connecticut has a bike race. All those things are done by college coaches with their fans. The fans are great. They want to be involved," said Coach Williams.
Involved in upping the research for a cure to cancer, by getting more money into the hands of scientists, to speed-up life saving breakthroughs.
Some of the members of "Coaches Vs. Cancer" came to a Washington Rally, by people who have battled the disease and are lobbying congress for additional funding.
"I ended up with cancer and lost my insurance," said Pamela Deleon-Lewis, cancer.
"I'm the mother of a 22-year-old brain cancer survivor and the aunt of 10-year lymphoma survivor. I never want to see another family go through what my family did," said Maryann Bergman, mother.
"Coaches Vs. Cancer" has raised $47 million.
"We want to double that very quickly. So we're working on it," said Williams.
Even autographing t-shirts, which will be auctioned off to raise money.
"Coaches Vs. Cancer" is made up of more than 500 college basketball programs.
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