OLYMPIA, Wash. – When The Evergreen State College Geoducks arrive at CRC Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon, they will have a bigger opponent than the Southern Oregon Raiders.  On Feb. 5, the Geoducks will play host to Coaches vs. Cancer as they hope to raise money and awareness to battle a disease that affects just about every person on the planet.

In an effort to take on cancer head on, Evergreen is teaming up with the American Cancer Society of Thurston County with all proceeds from Saturday’s event going directly towards the Thurston County Relay For Life.  The Cascade Collegiate Conference doubleheader with Southern Oregon will tip off at 5:30 p.m.

Fans in attendance should also be prepared for some outstanding basketball as Evergreen will be looking to earn some revenge over a pair of tough losses last month in Ashland.

ACS/Thurston County will have a table set up in the lobby to collect donations and distribute materials during both the women’s and men’s basketball games.  In addition, the Geoducks will sell tickets for a “50/50” raffle, with the winner getting half the money and Thurston County Relay For Life getting the other half.

The Geoducks will be showing their support on the hardwood as well, with both squads wearing pink socks and coaches wearing white basketball shoes to show support for the Coaches vs. Cancer program.  By wearing sneakers, participating coaches help raise awareness about cancer and the importance that nutrition and physical activity play in reducing one’s risk of the disease.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser- it’s a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight event up to 24 hours in length.

Thurston County had their first Relay For Life event in 1990.  Since then, Thurston County has raised over $3.8 million through Relay. In 2010, Thurston County raised $314,000 with 75 teams and over 800 participants.  Our goal for 2011 is to raise $350,000 with 85 teams.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of college and high school coaches and fans throughout the nation, Coaches vs. Cancer participants have raised more than $60 million since 1993 to help the American Cancer Society fund groundbreaking cancer research, provide up-to-date cancer information and education, advocate for public health policies that benefit communities, and deliver services that improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Additional information is available at coachesvscancer.org.