AKA Works with Coaches vs. Cancer

Special T-shirt & lapel pin sales to help fund HBCU cancer research efforts

Alpha Kappa Alpha is partnering with Coaches vs. Cancer in a campaign backed by a dynamic group of more than 500 Division I, II and III college coaches—all unified to defeat cancer. By joining this team, AKA will enhance the reach and expand the impact of this philanthropic effort. AKA is proud to be associated in this effort with Omega Psi Phi, a national fraternity committed to high standards, community service and leadership development.

Since 1993, the National Association of Basketball Coaches has worked with the American Cancer Society to generate awareness and funds for cancer research through the Coaches vs. Cancer program. Now—as Alpha Kappa Alpha approaches its Centennial in 2008—the membership is in an ideal position to take this effort deep into the African American community. Barbara A. McKinzie, the Sorority’s international president, recently established the five-pronged Extraordinary Service Program (ESP) to stimulate membership into action and service to others. This initiative parallels the ESP programmatic vision.

“One of the five platforms of ESP is Health Resource Management, and it is our mandate to raise awareness, gain emotional empowerment and develop support networks around the many health issues faced by the black community,” said McKinzie. “Cancer is a leading cause of death among African Americans, and we are disproportionately affected by this terrible disease. Our strength as an organization and our commitment to serve puts us in a great position to change the way cancer impacts African Americans.”

Lapel pin

Alpha Kappa Alpha will raise money for cancer research through the sale of a special Coaches vs. Cancer t-shirt and lapel pin that includes a unique AKA ESP message tailored for this campaign: Eradicate, Stop and Prevent cancer. Sixty percent of the monies raised will be directed to cancer research at three historically black colleges and universities—Morehouse School of Medicine, Howard University and Meharry Medical College. In addition to the t-shirt sales, organization members will work to raise early detection awareness by asking their female relatives and friends to sign pledge cards to get screened for breast or cervical cancer within six months.

T-shirt

To get order forms and pledge cards, log in to the Members Only section.