Houston Hosts American Cancer Society 2011 Coaches' Huddle to Help Create a World With Less Cancer and More Birthdays

HOUSTON, March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Cancer Society is proud to team up with Rice University and University of Houston men's basketball coaches Ben Braun and James Dickey to unite their basketball traditions with the fight against cancer, at the 2011 Coaches' Huddle, sponsored by the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, on Friday, April 1, 2011, at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

The 2011 Coaches' Huddle benefits Coaches vs. Cancer®, a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that empowers coaches, their teams and communities to join the fight against cancer. Since Coaches vs. Cancer's inception in 1993, high school and college coaches across the country have raised more than $65 million to help further the Society's vision of a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Through their passion for the game and their promotion of healthy lifestyles, coaches have elevated cancer awareness at their schools, in their communities and throughout the nation, often emphasizing how the disease has touched them personally.

"The Final Four is coming to Houston, and that is reason to celebrate," said Coach Braun. "It's also a fantastic opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society, so we've decided to do both by planning the 2011 Coaches' Huddle."  

The 2011 Coaches' Huddle is a unique opportunity that brings together community leaders, basketball fans and top college basketball coaches from across the country to have fun and raise funds in support of the American Cancer Society's comprehensive cancer fighting mission. The evening event will provide attendees with the opportunity to mingle with coaches, enjoy exceptional hors d'oeuvres, and bid on one-of-a kind silent and live auction items and sports memorabilia.

"The Coaches' Huddle is excited to honor Norm Stewart, legendary University of Missouri basketball coach and founding father of the Coaches vs. Cancer movement," said Ken Dennard, Coaches vs. Cancer national council representative.  "While Stormin' Norman's on-the-court achievements are widely recognized, perhaps Norm's greatest battle and conquest was off the court, though his fight and victory against colon cancer in 1989."

Coaches' Huddle tickets may be purchased for $100 per person at www.coacheshuddle.org or by calling Lorrie Hayes at 713-706-5664.  

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; by helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.5 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

SOURCE American Cancer Society