Lincoln – As part of the NABC Suits and Sneakers Awareness Week, the Nebraska men’s basketball program is teaming with the American Cancer Society to promote #AveryStrong Day…Bone Marrow Donor Drive to Fight Cancer! For the Huskers’ game with Michigan State on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The Husker basketball program has been affected by leukemia, as Avery Harriman, the son of assistant coach Chris Harriman was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was 2 years old. Avery has undergone a pair of bone marrow transplants with the most recent one coming last September, with the donor found through the bone marrow registry. Avery and other children battling pediatric cancer will be honored during pregame ceremonies on Saturday.
To honor the fight that Avery has gone through, the first 1,500 students at Saturday’s game will receive a special #AveryStrong shirt provided by the Husker Sports Radio Network, turning the Red Zone yellow on this special day. Yellow is the color of pediatric cancer and orange is the color for leukemia symbolizing Avery’s battle.
Students and other fans in attendance can also help the cause of Avery and other kids battling pediatric cancer by learning more about the National Marrow Donor Program. Fans can sign up for the bone marrow registry, as volunteers will be on hand to distribute information throughout Pinnacle Bank Arena. In addition, fans, who are age 18-44, can also receive match kits/swabs and take the test to be a potential bone marrow match at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday. Fans outside the age group can become donors, but must visit bethematch.org for more information.
The annual Suits and Sneakers Weekend is coordinated by the Coaches vs. Cancer program, a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Since its inception in 1993, the American Cancer Society Coaches vs. Cancer initiative has raised more than $87 million to support the Society’s mission. For more information on Suits and Sneakers Awareness Week, please visit www.coachesvscancer.org.
Volunteers from the American Cancer Society and UNL students will be on hand passing out information on UNL’s Relay for Life event later this spring to raise awareness for the continued fight against cancer.