BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford department of athletics and Alpha Phi Omega chapter will host its fourth annual "Teal There's a Cure" campaign during the Saturday, Feb. 2, home basketball doubleheader to raise awareness for ovarian cancer. 

The Panther women tipoff against La Roche at 2 p.m. with the men's game coming after at 4 p.m.

Members of the basketball teams will be sporting teal shirts during warmups and on the bench. 

Students from Pitt-Bradford's service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega led by Director of Community Engagement and the Harriett B. Wick Chapel Angela Wolfe have been helping with advertising. At the event, they will be collecting donations, selling teal t-shirts, cookies, gift baskets, bracelets, beads and teal ribbons.

All money raised will be donated to the Evans-Krivak Gynecological Cancer Research Foundation, founded by Bradford residents, Dr. George and Susan Evans, who is an ovarian cancer survivor and established the fund in honor of Dr. Thomas Krivak, the doctor who treated her.

"Once again, the Pitt-Bradford students and University have jumped into the cause to provide awareness and raise money for ovarian cancer research," Susan Evans said. "We really couldn't do any of this without them."

All who make a $15 donation will receive a t-shirt, which sold out quickly last year. There will be a larger inventory on hand this year. The cookies, made by Kathy Moonan, manager of accounts payable, will be on available to all those who make donations. All are encouraged to write down the name of a loved one who has been affected by cancer on a teal ribbon and decorate the tree in the lobby of the KOA Arena.

Over the last three years, the "Teal There's a Cure" campaign has raised over $4,000 for the Evans-Krivak Foundation, which is total has raised over $145,000 through all fundraising efforts. 

A presentation will be given at halftime of the men's game with Dr. George and Susan Evans, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Bret Butler and Interim University President Dr. Lawrence Feick.

Pitt-Bradford will offer free-throw games for all children in attendance during halftime of both games.

For the special occasion, Rhett Kennedy, Director of Auxiliary Services, will serve as the KOA Arena's public address announcer, reading facts about ovarian cancer during each break in the action.

Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. A woman's risk of getting ovarian cancer during her lifetime is about 1 in 75. It can be deceptive and difficult to identify, as no test for detection currently exists; Susan Evans was diagnosed from an ER scan that was probing the cause of a swollen ankle.

"Funds from this event go toward research and education," Evans said. "I've found that education is the most important part. Early detection can save so many lives."

She has spoken to more than 140 groups in the last four-plus years in an effort to raise awareness for ovarian cancer, and she penned a book, "Don't Write the Obituary Yet," an unfiltered testimonial to her personal journey and the emotional challenges she faced during diagnosis, treatment and surveillance which has sold over 1,600 copies.

All of the proceeds go toward supporting the Evans-Krivak fund. Copies are available for purchase at the Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. office in Bradford's Union Square or directly from Mrs. Evans. Contact her via email at sevans66@verizon.net for more information.

Mrs. Evans, who is in remission, is retired after teaching English at Bradford Area High School for 32 years. Her husband is a retired journalism professor, who spent 29 years teaching at St. Bonaventure University. They currently reside in Bradford and are annual donors of Pitt-Bradford as members of the Founders Society and also members of Brackenridge Circle and 1787 Society at main campus.

"It's never too early to educate on this disease," Evans concluded. "Just this year, I met a seven-year-old-ovarian cancer survivor. She's a wonderful, energetic second grader. That solidifies that it's never too early and this event helps bring it to the forefront." 

Visit www.pittsburghfoundation.org for more information on how you can donate to the Evans-Krivak Gynecological Cancer Research Fund.