BIGGER THAN BASKETBALL
Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).
COACHES VS. CANCER leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of basketball coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs. Coaches vs. Cancer provides critical mission outreach, while raising funds in support of the Society's lifesaving cancer research, education, advocacy, and community service efforts.​
Coaches vs. Cancer evolved from a concept championed by Norm Stewart, former head coach of the University of Missouri's men's basketball program, a cancer survivor, and member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He started the program by challenging fans to pledge a dollar amount for every three points made by his team during the season.
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The American Cancer Society and the NABC adopted that concept in 1993 and transformed it into a nationwide effort to unite coaches across the country in the common mission to provide help and hope to all people facing cancer. Today, more than 500 Division I, II, and III college coaches are involved in the program. Coaches vs. Cancer has raised over $130 million since its inception to support the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease. Additionally, more than 100 high school coaches also participate in the program.
In 1998, the Coaches vs. Cancer Council was formed—a distinguished group of NABC member basketball coaches, American Cancer Society volunteers, and business leaders from across the country - to explore new and innovative ways to raise funds, recruit prominent coaches, enhance the program, and help win the fight against cancer. Because cancer has touched so many of our nation's basketball coaches, Coaches vs. Cancer offers them the unique opportunity to fight the disease. Through integrated fundraising activities and public awareness campaigns, participating coaches are truly making a difference in the fight against cancer and are raising awareness in their communities about the importance of cancer prevention, early detection, and making healthy lifestyle choices.
OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE.
SAVE LIVES. CELEBRATE LIVES. AND LEAD THE FIGHT FOR A WORLD WITHOUT CANCER.
Today, almost 1,700 people in the US will die of cancer. That adds up to more than 600,000 Americans dying of cancer this year alone. That's why, with our 1.5 million volunteers, we are taking action.