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Coaches vs. Cancer of Philadelphia is part of the National Coaches vs. Cancer program created in 1993 by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). The program exists to leverage the strength, community leadership and celebrity of our country’s basketball coaches to fight cancer. Since its inception, the Coaches vs. Cancer program has raised nearly $45 million nationwide to support the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving cancer research, education, advocacy, and community service efforts.
In Philadelphia, Coaches vs. Cancer has a unique edge with all six NCAA Division One basketball coaches uniting their passion and energy towards raising awareness and funds to help beat this disease. Coaches Phil Martelli (Saint Joseph’s University), Fran Dunphy (Temple University), Jay Wright (Villanova University), John Giannini (La Salle University), Bruiser Flint (Drexel University), and Glen Miller (University of Pennsylvania) may be opponents on the court, but off the court they have joined forces in the fight against cancer.
Since its inception in 1996, the Philadelphia Coaches vs. Cancer program has raised more than $4.7 million to fight back against cancer. The Coaches raised an additional $254,460 for the brand new AstraZeneca Hope Lodge bringing their fundraising total to nearly $1.2 million during last year alone.
The AstraZeneca Hope Lodge, which opened on May 13, 2009 just a quarter-mile from Fox Chase Cancer Center in Cheltenham Township, offers free lodging, transportation and support services to cancer patients and their families undergoing treatment away from home. Fran Dunphy and Phil Martelli were present at the grand opening celebration to express their dedication and support of Hope Lodge on behalf of the Philly Six Coaches.
Coach Fran Dunphy speaks at a donor recognition event for the AstraZeneca Hope Lodge in May 2009.
In addition to events like Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend held in February, the Coaches support the American Cancer Society through the Tourney Tip-off Breakfast, where the Coaches and sports media discuss their picks for the NCAA tournament; the BasketBall black-tie gala; the Jim Maloney Golf Classic; and the School Initiative, which encourages area high school and grade school basketball teams and coaches to get involved.
To find out more about the Philadelphia Coaches, or to make a donation in their honor, please click on the links below.
Coach Fran Dunphy
Coach Phil Martelli
Coach James "Bruiser" Flint
Coach Jay Wright
Coach John Giannini
Coach Glen Miller
Mark your calendars for these upcoming Coaches vs. Cancer events:
Coaches vs. Cancer Beach Ball
August 8, 2009
Stone Harbor Golf Club, Cape May, NJ
14th annual Jim Maloney Golf Classic
October 5, 2009
White Manor Country Club, Malvern, PA
School Initiative
Ongoing at various school districts – Fall 2009/Spring 2010
12th annual Tourney Tip-Off Breakfast
March 15, 2010
The Palestra, University of Pennsylvania
Seventh annual BasketBall (black-tie gala)
April 17, 2010
Park Hyatt, Bellevue
Independence Blue Cross President & CEO Joe Frick (third from left) poses with the six coaches as he presents two $50,000 checks to benefit the American Cancer Society Coaches vs. Cancer program and AstraZeneca Hope Lodge at the sixth annual BasketBall Gala.
Coaches vs. Cancer is now on Facebook! Click here to learn more.
Click here to learn more about the National Coaches vs. Cancer program.
Click here to learn more about the Pennsylvania Coaches vs. Cancer program
For more information about any of the Coaches vs. Cancer events in Pennsylvania, please contact Dave Heck at 215.985.5401 or email pa.phillycoaches@cancer.org
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