UK Markey Cancer Center to be recognized during Coaches vs. Cancer event at Kentucky Men's Basketball game Dec. 9
The UK Markey Cancer Center will be nationally recognized when the Kentucky men’s basketball team plays Pennsylvania on Dec. 9 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The game benefits Coaches vs. Cancer, an initiative spearheaded by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Coaches vs. Cancer program, through which the American Cancer Society has united members of the basketball community in supporting efforts to improve the lives of people with cancer. Coaches vs. Cancer has raised over $155 million to support cancer research, patient support and advocacy since the program began in 1993.
Access to quality care is one of the most significant barriers Kentuckians face when it comes to getting cancer treatment. Many Markey Cancer Center patients travel over 25 miles for treatment, and hotel and gas expenses increase quickly.
“ACS Coaches vs. Cancer helps to raise awareness about the needs of our cancer patients,” said Joan Scales, director of Markey’s Psych-Oncology program. “Most people understand how great of an impact a cancer diagnosis has on a person’s physical health, however, many don’t realize the vast impact it can have on the patient’s financial stability.
"The funds that Coaches vs. Cancer helps raise can directly impact our patients at Markey and provide them with much needed financial support through this difficult time.”
The American Cancer Society provides education on cancer prevention and early detection, free rides to treatment and free or reduced lodging for those in treatment through the Lexington Hope Lodge and hotel partners across the state. The ACS is currently funding $145,000 in transportation and lodging grants to help Kentuckians access cancer treatment.
The Lexington Hope Lodge provided 7,190 nights of free lodging to 682 cancer patients and their caregivers in 2022, affording them a comfortable place to stay while they are in treatment. More than just a roof over their heads, the Lexington Hope Lodge offers a nurturing community that supports patients as they continue to receive the care they need.
In addition to patient support initiatives, funds raised by Coaches vs. Cancer directly benefit the American Cancer Society’s research programs. The American Cancer Society is currently funding $2,064,000 in active research grants at UK. Markey Cancer Center was one of only twenty healthcare systems awarded a three-year, $300,000 patient navigation capacity-building grant. This grant will help address barriers to equitable access to care for cancer patients.
The University of Kentucky also received an ACS Institutional Research Grant to fund pilot research projects by early career investigators. In 2022, the ACS provided an additional $33,000 to support summer cancer research experiences for six Kentucky college students from diverse backgrounds.
“The American Cancer Society and UK Markey Cancer Center have a long history of working together to support people facing cancer in Kentucky,” said American Cancer Society executive vice president Kimberly Jackson. “The UK basketball program and coach John Calipari, through Coaches vs. Cancer, help to raise funds and stand by the people we serve together, and we are excited about this game and all the ways our joint efforts are helping to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.”
As Kentucky’s only NCI-designated cancer center, Markey is grateful for the local support that the American Cancer Society offers our patients, providers and researchers.
Tune into the game on Saturday, Dec. 9 at noon on ESPN2 – and GO CATS!
To learn more about supporting Coaches vs. Cancer or to find a screening location near you, please visit coaches.cancer.org. Those wishing to support Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society through a donation can visit cancer.org/cvc30.
