This initiative leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs. Since 1993, coaches have raised over $135 million for the American Cancer Society.
Norm Stewart, former head coach of the University of Missouri’s men’s basketball program, cancer survivor, and member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, provided the vision and inspiration for the Coaches vs. Cancer concept.
He started the program by challenging fans to pledge a dollar amount for every three-point shot made by his team during the season. The concept evolved into a nationwide effort uniting coaches, fans, players, and communities across the country to fight cancer.
I had the wonderful experience of having won more than 700 games. I’d trade every one of those wins if we could finish this fight against cancer.
NORM STEWART
FORMER HEAD COACH OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, COACHES VS. CANCER FOUNDER
Each season, college and high school basketball coaches across the nation wear sneakers with their suits during dedicated games to raise awareness and funds, while encouraging people to educate themselves about cancer prevention. The 2021 Suits and Sneakers Week is set for January 25th-31st but teams are encouraged to participate anytime during their season with the winning teams announced on April 1st.
Our vision for the 2020-2021 season is to make a nationwide impact on the fight against childhood cancer. This season, Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers fundraisers will support childhood cancer awareness through our Gold Together campaign which raises funds to support childhood cancer research, services and awareness, and cancer prevention efforts targeting children.*
*If your event has historically supported another American Cancer Society program, you may continue to do so. If you prefer to support the full mission of the American Cancer Society, you may opt out of the restriction to childhood cancer.
When Patrick was 13, one of his coaches noticed that he was especially tired during a basketball workout. After a series of tests, a tumor was found on his thyroid. After 2 biopsies and surgery to remove the tumor, it was discovered that the tumor was malignant. Patrick was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer on March 22, 2014, two days after his 14th birthday. He went through another surgery and then treatment. During that time his friend Austin was diagnosed with T Cell Lymphoma. The two boys battled cancer together! A year later, Austin died. Patrick has had more biopsies, scans, as well as numerous ultrasounds and bloodwork testing done. He takes a pill every day at 6am and will for the rest of his life. This year Patrick will wear the #22 at the University of Iowa, where he is a freshman on the basketball team. It was the favorite number of both he and Austin.
Austin “Flash” Schroeder was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma in April 2014 at the age of 14. The highly aggressive cancer was ultimately a force for which Austin’s body and current medical treatments have no answer. The treatment course was not smooth, he often faced more setbacks than he did gains. Through it all, however, he continued to smile, he continued to fight, and he continued to hope.
Flash became a superhero to everyone who met him, including the staff at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. He passed away on April 28th, National Superhero Day! His sports number was #22 and when the numbers of that particular date were added together, it equaled 22! (04+28+15) #22 also has another deeper meaning, as he battled this disease along side his friend, Patrick McCaffery, who also shared #22 in basketball.
The Fight With Flash Foundation was created to honor the life, spirit and wish of Austin. His life-long positive energy, zest for life, and “Win The Day” attitude continued and even flourished during his illness. During his battle he mentioned several times that his goal was to beat cancer and come back to the hospital to talk to other kids about Win The Day, about finding the positives, and about never giving up. His steady resolve amidst adversity continues to inspire thousands of people in the Iowa City area and well beyond.
Luke was an extremely loving, caring, creative, articulate and playful child. He loved Hot Wheels, the Beatles and adored his big sister Phebe. He would remind his parents, Jill and Cam, daily of his love, as he would randomly call down from the stairs, “Mommy and Daddy, I love you.” Those who knew Luke understood that he was meant for something special.
On April 8, 2018, Luke’s family received the devastating news that there was an inoperable and very aggressive tumor in his brain called DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma). Just 17 days later, embraced in his parents’ arms, he passed away at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Luke was 5 years old.
DIPG is the only pediatric cancer for which there is a 0% survival rate. The disease currently manifests in only 100 to 200 cases across the United States annually and occurs exclusively in children. It remains fatal upon diagnosis and treatment options today are the same as they were 50 years ago. Luke’s family aims to change that. They are dedicated to raising imperative funds for DIPG research in his name.
Luke continues to touch lives and will one day save lives. DIPG cells from his tumor are being propagated and studied. His family has raised over $250,000 for DIPG research in his name. Luke and his family are champions and his invaluable gifts will carry on ensuring no more families are torn apart by DIPG.