Feb. 10, 2010

Pink Zone T-Shirt | Pink Zone Headquarters

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Marist Athletics Department will host its annual WCBA Pink Zone game presented by DRA Imaging this Friday, Feb. 12, as the Marist women's basketball program takes on Rider in the James J. McCann Center at 7:30 p.m. The first 1,000 fans will receive a Rachele Fitz (Seven Hills, Ohio) designed Pink Zone T-shirt courtesy of DRA Imaging.

The Red Foxes welcome DRA Imaging to this year's Pink Zone game as the event's title sponsor. DRA Imaging's three Hudson Valley locations excel in the detection and treatment of breast cancer, and in August 2009 were awarded Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. DRA Imaging has been a great supporter of Marist women's basketball, and is excited to take part the “WBCA Pink Zone” as part of its continued fight against breast cancer.

“Marist women's basketball games are the best sporting events in the Hudson Valley,” Dr. Victor D. Gaines, President and CEO of DRA Imaginng said. “DRA is thrilled to have Coach Giorgis, and the rest of his program on our side in the fight against breast cancer.”

DRA Imaging Breast Cancer Survivor Ceremony
The Marist Athletics Department will honor breast cancer survivors at halftime of Friday's game during the second annual DRA Imaging Breast Cancer Survivor Ceremony. All breast cancer survivors that will be in attendance for Friday's game, and would like to be recognized during the ceremony, can register by contacting Assistant Athletics Director, Frank Lombardy via email at Frank.Lombardy@marist.edu.

Last season's Pink Zone ceremony honored 22 breast cancer survivors during the special halftime ceremony. Recognizing survivors has become a special part of this game and adds a personal element to the fight against the disease.

“It's great when you can raise money and awareness for any charity,” Lombardy said. “But when you can physically see the people from our community who have battled breast cancer; that's when it really hits home.”

Rachele Fitz Designed T-shirt Giveaway
The first 1,000 fans in attendance for Friday's game will receive a one-of-a-kind Pink Zone T-shirt courtesy of DRA Imaging. The T-shirt was designed by Marist women's basketball senior tri-captain and fashion design major, Rachele Fitz. The design has a special meaning to Fitz, as she has dedicated her creation to a close friend's mother who is battling breast cancer.

“My friend's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and going through treatments,” Fitz said. “It really made me want to do something for her – to dedicate this shirt to her, and all the strong, great women going through this. The net is made of the breast cancer ribbons and they are trickling down the side and opening. The ribbons falling off the net one-by-one are untying, like one more person who is conquering breast cancer.”

Raffles and Fundraisers
The Marist Athletics Department will also raffle off Marist women's basketball memorabilia throughout the night. Fans that purchase raffle tickets will have the opportunity to win a piece of memorabilia, while supporting breast cancer research. The Red Foxes will also be selling special tribute cards for $2 at the entrance to the McCann Center, for fans who would like to honor those who have been affected by the disease. The Marist Athletics Department will also donate all the proceeds from the 50/50 raffle to breast cancer research.

Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation – Official Beneficiary
All proceeds from the evening's fundraisers will be donated to the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation. Miles of Hope is a Hudson Valley based breast cancer charity, who has be the official beneficiary of Marist's WCBA Pink Zone games since the Red Foxes began participating four years ago.

Fans can purchase tickets for Friday's women's basketball game by clicking here or by visiting the Marist Ticket Office located in the McCann Center Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 a.m., and 4 p.m.