What began nearly two decades ago as a shared commitment on the basketball court has grown into something far deeper. Today, UConn’s partnership with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund reflects a broad, coordinated approach to fighting cancer, one that brings together education, access to care, and community support for women affected by the disease.

This season, UConn Health’s Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, marking a new chapter in a long-standing relationship with the national nonprofit best known for its Play4Kay initiative. The grant coincided with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund’s EmPOWERment Tour, an educational program hosted by UConn, and was formally recognized during UConn Women’s Basketball’s annual Play4Kay game on Saturday, February 7.

Together, the grant, the education program, and the game-day tribute illustrate how a single partnership can support women at multiple points—through prevention, treatment, and survivorship—extending well beyond a single event. That broader approach reflects the Kay Yow Cancer Fund’s mission and helps explain why its work with UConn has continued to grow.

A Mission Rooted in the Needs of Women

Founded in honor of legendary North Carolina State basketball coach Kay Yow, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund works to fund research, expand access to care for underserved women, and unite people in the fight against cancer. From its earliest days, the organization has invested in research while also listening closely to the real-world challenges women face when navigating cancer care.

Over time, that focus has expanded to include funding programs that address barriers such as cost, access, and lack of information—factors that too often prevent women from receiving timely, life-saving care. Through Access Grants, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund supports education, navigation, and direct services that meet women where they are.

To date, the organization has awarded more than $10 million in research and access grants, supporting programs in 22 states and Washington, D.C. This spring, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund will build on that work with the launch of a new $1 million grant, further strengthening its national reach.

At UConn, that mission comes to life not only through funding, but through education aimed at reaching women earlier—before gaps in care become crises.

The EmPOWERment Tour: Education as Prevention

Launched in 2021, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund’s EmPOWERment Tour focuses on educating, empowering, and equipping high school and college-aged students in the fight against cancer, initially through women’s basketball programs.

The program engages students in conversations about cancer prevention, disparities, treatment, and survivorship, while emphasizing early detection and self-advocacy. Participants learn sobering but essential facts: one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and one in eight will be diagnosed with breast cancer—statistics that resonate deeply in locker rooms, classrooms, and communities.

At UConn, Women’s Basketball standout Sarah Strong serves as a Kay Yow Servant Leader, helping bring those messages to life. In that role, Strong emphasizes preventive care and the importance of speaking up about health, reinforcing the idea that leadership extends beyond the court.

“It was an honor to be named a Kay Yow Servant Leader,” said Strong. “Growing up in North Carolina, I heard about the incredible impact of Coach Yow and her legacy on and off the court. I’m grateful for the opportunity to honor her memory and make a difference in the UConn community.”

Later this month, UConn Health will host an EmPOWERment Tour event at Bristol Central High School, bringing cancer education directly to students and encouraging them to become advocates for their own health and the health of their families.

That emphasis on education builds on a relationship between UConn and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund that spans nearly two decades.

A Partnership Nearly Two Decades in the Making

UConn’s connection to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund runs deep. UConn Women’s Basketball Head Coach Geno Auriemma served on the organization’s first Board of Directors, reflecting his close relationship with Yow and establishing an early bond rooted in shared values.

For nearly 18 years, UConn Women’s Basketball has supported the Kay Yow Cancer Fund through Play4Kay participation, fundraising efforts, jersey auctions, and consistent advocacy—helping keep women impacted by cancer at the center of the game-day experience.

“UConn has always been culturally aligned with our mission,” says Jennifer Sullivan, Senior Director of Operations at the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. “There’s a genuine commitment to leadership, service, and community.”

This season, that long-standing relationship translated into direct, tangible support for women receiving care at UConn Health.

A Grant That Expands Access and Preserves Dignity

The $25,000 Kay Yow Underserved Grant will directly support women receiving care at the Neag Cancer Center by expanding access to essential supportive services that are often not covered by insurance.

The grant will fund:

• DigniCap scalp cooling, an FDA-cleared therapy shown to reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss
• Customized lymphedema sleeves, medically necessary garments that help manage swelling and improve mobility following cancer treatment

“This funding expands access to essential supportive services that preserve dignity and improve quality of life,” says Sarah Loschiavo, nursing director of Palliative Medicine, Supportive Care, and Hospice Services at UConn Health. “It supports women through treatment and survivorship while reducing financial barriers that too often stand in the way of care.”

By providing no-cost access to these services, the grant helps reduce disparities for underinsured and uninsured women across Connecticut.

The impact of that support was visible on the court as well.

Honoring Survivors at Play4Kay

The partnership was celebrated publicly during UConn Women’s Basketball’s annual Play4Kay game, a day dedicated to honoring cancer survivors and recognizing strength, resilience, and hope.

Ten breast cancer survivors from the Neag Cancer Center were honored, each accompanied throughout the day by a Cancer Center staff ambassador.

Survivors participated in the traditional “high-five tunnel” as players took the court and were later recognized during a halftime ceremony at center court.

UConn Health staff also hosted an informational table during the game, offering breast cancer screening resources and assisting attendees with scheduling appointments.

For UConn, the grant represents more than a financial award—it extends Play4Kay beyond a single game and into meaningful, lasting community impact. Together, UConn and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund demonstrate what’s possible when advocacy continues beyond the final buzzer, and when a game becomes a gateway to lasting change.