OSU Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser concludes record-setting year

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Oklahoma State University set a new school record and ranked first in the Big 12 Conference for donation amounts at the end of its 2004-05 Coaches vs. Cancer campaign.

“OSU has shown its dedication in the fight against cancer and the American Cancer Society is honored to have them as a partner," said Torry Turnbow, American Cancer Society income development specialist.

This year was record-breaking, with $215,319 donated in monetary and in-kind services from the OSU community, up from just over $100,000 last year. For 12 years, OSU has proudly campaigned with ACS and the National Association of Basketball Coaches in Coaches vs. Cancer.

Dave Hunziker, OSU Coaches vs. Cancer official spokesman, credits OSU men's basketball coach Eddie Sutton and the OSU basketball office for sparking the success of this year's campaign.

“There's not a person I know who hasn't had a family member or friend affected by this disease. If our efforts help save one more life, ease the pain and suffering of cancer, then positive progress is being made to free the world of cancer,” Sutton said. “I’d like to challenge OSU fans everywhere to continue their awesome support for next year’s campaign.”

Nationwide, OSU finished as the sixth-highest Coaches vs. Cancer campaign in 2004-05. Syracuse, the Philly 6 (Temple, St. Joseph's, Drexel, La Salle, University of Pennsylvania, and Villanova have one campaign together), the University of Connecticut, Notre Dame and Gonzaga were the only schools with totals higher than OSU.

Since 1993, Coaches vs. Cancer has raised over $22 million nationwide for research, advocacy, education and services that affect cancer patients.