The University of Notre Dame Women’s Basketball’s Pink Zone initiative has made a tremendous impact on our local community over the last five years by providing funds for education, screenings, support and research for breast cancer.

While we give 20% of our donations to the National Kay Yow Cancer Fund, the other 80% of donations stay here in our community. By teaming with The Foundation of Saint Joseph Health System  for Secret Sisters Society and Women’s Task Force, we are able to further an educational program that promotes early detection, supportive care, and survivorship.

Along with these efforts, donations provide free mammograms and cervical cancer screenings for those who financially qualify. This year, we have joined in partnership with Riverbend Cancer Services. This local facility offers a warm, welcoming place filled with helpful people and programs for cancer survivors and families in the South Bend community who are living with a cancer diagnosis.

You can help Notre Dame Women’s Basketball in their Pink Zone efforts to fight cancer.

Make a Donation
The simplest way to support Pink Zone is to make a donation by contacting the Women’s Basketball Office or visiting the Pink Zone table located in Heritage Hall at one of the home games.

2018 Play4Kay Free Throw Challenge
Support Notre Dame in the Play4Kay Free Throw Challenge. We are competing against other college basketball teams around the country to see who can raise the most money for those battling cancer.  Help us reach our goal and support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund by pledging for every free throw we make during the month of February. Every pledge will make a serious impact on those battling cancer. Make your pledge today by clicking here

Make a Purchase
We are selling special Pink Zone t-shirts, fleece blankets, and green or pink shamrock writing pens. Pink Zone merchandise is available at select Women’s Basketball home game, or by contacting the Women’s Basketball Office.

Pink Zone Beneficiaries 75% – Secret Sisters Society, Young Survivors and Women’s Task Force (Local) EDUCATION, SCREENINGS AND SUPPORT Secret Sisters Society ®

The Women’s Task Force of Saint Joseph Health System  started the Secret Sisters Society in 2001 to raise funds to provide mammograms to women who could not otherwise afford a screening. In 2011, the program expanded to also provide cervical cancer screenings.

The Women’s Task Force partners with United Health Services to administer the Secret Sisters program so that patients may choose where they receive their cancer screenings. Women must qualify due to income for the Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) and be between the ages of 40-49 to be eligible for a Secret Sisters screening. Then, if additional testing is necessary, or if cancer is detected, women can access resources through the BCCP program for further treatment. BCCP program for further treatment. Contact United Health Services at 574-247-6053 for more information.

We believe these women should have access to screenings at the age of 40, because we know early detection is the key to survival. Your generosity has made it all possible! Since 2003, the Secret Sisters Society Fund has provided more than $575,000 in cancer screenings to women in our community. For more information, visit The Seret Sisters Society ® Website.

Women’s Task Force of Saint Joseph Health System  is a group of women cancer survivors and healthcare professionals  and volunteers who work to raise awarness, educate and support outreach services for the diagnosis and prevention of breast cancer. Initiatives include recommending and implementing programs that relate to women and cancer, promoting early detection, explaining early treatment options, providing supportive care and celebrating survivorship.  

5% – RiverBend Cancer Services (Local)

RiverBend Cancer Services has been providing support programs for cancer patients, survivors, their families and friends for 74 years. What was started by caring physicians has evolved into an organization in partnership with the entire Michiana oncology care community. People with a cancer diagnosis find RiverBend through word of mouth and referrals from the local healthcare community.

We understand that everyone’s cancer journey is different. We also know that more and more people are surviving cancer and living a new normal. In May of 2015 RiverBend opened the areas first Wellness House designed to support people where they need us. Some might need help paying for prescriptions, while others may need a counselor to help them sort out problems and priorities. Some might want to join a community of other survivors in a support group environment. Some might want to focus on learning about how to improve their cancer journey though healthy eating, exercise and stress management. Some might simply need a ride to treatment. RiverBend Cancer Services is all of that and more. Our programs help those living with cancer feel more hopeful and empowered to manage their cancer treatment and survivorship.

All of RiverBend’s programs are provided free of charge to anyone in our community affected by a cancer diagnosis. To learn more about RiverBend and to review our current schedule of programs, please visit Riverbend Cancer Survivors’ Website.

20% – Kay Yow Cancer Fund (National)

FINDING THE ANSWER The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women’s cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause. Since the Fund’s inception, $8 million has been raised and $2.5 million has been granted for scientific research and related programs focused on women’s cancers thanks to the generosity and continued support of our donors. For more information, Visit WBCA.org

Pink Zone 2018  
Notre Dame Women’s Basketball vs.  Georgia Tech
Sunday, February 11 @ 1:00pm
Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center

Make a Purchase
The following items will be on sale at the Pink Zone Table located at Gate 9 of the Purcell Pavilion.

• Fleece Blankets $20
• Pink Zone T-shirts $15 for Adults & Youth
• Pink or Green Shamrock Pens $1