Businesses encouraged to wear sneakers, support American Cancer Society
HENDERSON, NEV. – The Henderson Chamber of Commerce has teamed with college basketball coaches from around the nation for the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Challenge supporting American Cancer Society research, free patient and caregiver services, education and advocacy programs.
Each season basketball coaches trade their dress shoes for sneakers on the sidelines during Suits And Sneakers Awareness Weekend to bring awareness to the fight against cancer. Now it’s time for Southern Nevada businessmen and women to join the effort.
As part of their “Community Day” initiative, Henderson Chamber of Commerce members will join the coaches’ effort by lacing up sneakers for a workplace challenge on Monday, April 7 – the day of the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game.
“Our hope is to rally the valley in the American Cancer Society’s effort to finish the fight against cancer,” said D.J. Allen, chairman of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce board of directors. “It’s simple, it’s fun and it makes a real difference. From our large businesses to our home-based businesses, this is about our community coming together to support something that impacts us all – cancer.”
Business leaders are urged to encourage employees to donate a minimum of $5 to the American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer to wear sneakers to work on a pre-designated day. (The chamber has identified April 7 as a target date, but companies may alter or extend options for employees.)
“In addition to raising money to fight cancer, wearing your sneakers is a simple reminder to live a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Rochelle Jurani, who heads Coaches vs. Cancer for the American Cancer Society’s local chapter. “The Henderson Chamber of Commerce’s commitment to rally its members is an opportunity for us to involve a great number of businesses in the community – both large and small.”
Donations can be made through the Henderson Chamber’s Suits And Sneakers page at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/TeamHenderson. Participating companies with more than 50 employees can have their own webpage as part of the Suits And Sneakers Challenge. For more information, contact the Henderson Chamber’s communications director Debi Raffi at draffi@hendersonchamber.com or 702-565-8951.
“We’re excited about business leaders using their platforms to help others,” said UNLV basketball coach Dave Rice. “That’s what Coaches vs. Cancer allows us to do as coaches and teaming with the business community is a natural fit.”
Coaches vs. Cancer is a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Southern Nevada has a strong tie to the Coaches vs. Cancer effort. MGM Grand is host to the annual Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic, in its seventh year this May, which features 20 coaches from around the nation, including Rice. Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger – who was the former UNLV coach – began the LV Golf Classic and still plays a key role.
“It’s no surprise to us that local businesses in Southern Nevada want to join the fight,” Kruger said. “We loved our time in the valley and still have so many great relationships. Coach Rice, myself and all of the coaches involved are excited to have the Henderson Chamber as a part of our team.”
The Henderson Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, voluntary organization committed to promoting and supporting member businesses.
For more information, call the Henderson Chamber of Commerce at 702-565-8951 or visit hendersonchamber.com.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we’re determined to finish the fight against cancer. We’re finding cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org/fight.