HARROGATE, Tenn. -- The Lincoln Memorial University athletics department will celebrate its annual Play 4Kay game in support of breast cancer victims and research on Saturday, February 13 when the Lady Railsplitters and Railsplitters welcome the Newberry Wolves to Tex Turner Arena for a South Atlantic Conference hoops doubleheader.
 
The Play 4Kay initiative is an annual, nationwide mission aimed at joining collegiate and high school basketball teams in the fight against women's cancers. Over a two-week stretch in February, the basketball court is used as a public forum for raising money and awareness for women's cancer - breast cancer in particular - victims and research via the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, which was named in honor of former North Carolina State women's basketball coach Kay Yow, who passed away in 2009 following a lengthy battle with breast cancer. 
 
Fans are encouraged to wear pink to Saturday's game to help us paint Tex Turner Arena pink as a public show of support for those that have been affected by cancer. Lincoln Memorial's official "Play 4Kay" shirts are available for purchase by contacting Lisa Jones in the athletics department by phone (423.869.6285) or by email at lisa.jones@lmunet.edu. All proceeds from shirt sales will go directly to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
 
Lincoln Memorial will take a moment during halftime of Saturday's men's game to honor local cancer survivors. Both games will begin will a ceremonial tip-off using a commemorative pink ball, which will be signed by the men's and women's teams and raffled off. Direct donations to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund will also be accepted throughout the afternoon.
 
All 12 South Atlantic Conference schools participate in the Play 4Kay initiative on a year-to-year basis and pose the money-raising portion of the event as a sort of friendly competition. Lincoln Memorial has led the league in terms of total money raised for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in three of the last five years. In fact, last season Lincoln Memorial was recognized as the highest fundraiser across all of the NCAA Division II, and was honored for that achievement at the Wow 4Yow event in April, 2015.
 
The Lady Railsplitters kick off the afternoon with a 2 p.m. tip against Newberry, with the men's game to follow at approximately 4 p.m. The ticket gate opens at 1 p.m.  
 
For more information about the Kay Yow Cancer Fund as well as the Play 4Kay initiative, visit www.kayyow.com.
 
About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund
 
During the final stages of her battle with cancer, Coach Kay Yow had a vision to unite a nation of coaches, players, and the women's basketball community to do something for the greater good that far exceeds wins and losses on the court.
 
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was born in December, 2007 and is a charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women's cancers by raising funds for scientific research, assisting the underserved, and unifying people for a common cause. To date, the Fund has allocated more than $5 million in support of women's cancer research.
 
Coach Yow envisioned the women's basketball community doing its part by funding research at a level that will create significant results – and lead to a cure. We can only do this with your help.
 
What is Play 4Kay?
 
Play 4Kay is the grassroots fundraising initiative of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. It was originally called Think Pink, later became Pink Zone and most recently and finally, Play 4Kay.  Numerous sports, groups and organizations have hosted Play 4Kay fundraisers — and have made a lasting impact that resonated with their fans and the community, all while raising funds for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.