November 30, 2007         
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         

Breast Cancer Awareness Night raises more than $6,000 for Cancer Research

Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern State University athletic department partnered with Freeman and St. John's Hospitals, as well as the American Cancer Society and the Hope 4 You Breast Cancer Foundation, to put on a Breast Cancer Awareness Night this past Wednesday night at the Southern women's basketball game against Webster University.

Freeman and St. John's sponsored commemorative pink uniforms that the Lions wore that night. They were auctioned off during the game garnering $3,152 for the 13 jerseys, while the more than 1,100 fans that came through the doors at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center donated $2,125.40 into the collection boxes. Over $850 dollars in concessions ran the total to $6,035.25 to be split between ACS and Hope 4 You, after printing costs for fliers were subtracted.

"I was so impressed with the way everyone came together to make it a great night," said Kevin Greim, Director of Athletic Marketing at Southern. "Zeta Tau Alpha did a great job getting our students involved, Hope 4 You and the American Cancer Society were there to not only solicit donations, but to also distribute information, and it just wouldn't have been the same without the pink uniforms from Freeman and St. John's."

Southern Athletic Director Sallie Beard echoed Greim's comments.

"We have hosted a lot of events including those on a national level and this one set itself apart in terms of both interest and within a variety of different audiences," Beard said. "I see this as an opportunity for outreach where we can really help deliver a critical message about the prevention and treatment of cancer."