BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA – The Mike Slive Foundation is partnering with numerous college and universities across five conferences on the Block Cancer initiative during the months of January and February.
“We are excited to partner with so many more institutions this year to bring awareness to prostate cancer,” said Anna Slive Harwood, Executive Director of the Mike Slive Foundation. “Using the platform of college athletics to help raise awareness of prostate cancer was my father’s vision. We are grateful for the ongoing support from these conferences and institutions as we continue to help educate men and their loved ones about this disease. Because one in nine men will get prostate cancer, this is everyone’s fight.”
For the second year, all Conference USA schools are hosting a Block Cancer event, as well as Purdue, St. Louis, and South Carolina. The Big 12 and SEC will unite to bring awareness to the Mike Slive Foundation during Big 12/SEC Challenge games on Saturday, January 25. Block Cancer host teams will wear blue Block Cancer shooting shirts, and coaches will wear blue ties and Foundation lapel pins. During the game, fans will see signage and videos that focus on increasing awareness for prostate cancer.
“Mike Slive was one of the most respected and accomplished leaders in the history of college athletics,” said SEC commissioner Greg Sankey. “As part of his legacy, he created the Mike Slive Foundation to fight prostate cancer and we are proud to partner with the Big 12 Conference to raise awareness of this important cause in Mike’s memory.”
“We are proud to support the Block Cancer initiative and the Mike Slive Foundation across our campuses,” said C-USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod. “It is a tremendous program that honors Mike Slive’s brave fight against prostate cancer, raises awareness, and furthers the cause of his remarkable foundation.”
“The Big 12 is proud to join with the SEC in honoring Mike Slive during this Saturday’s Challenge games,” said Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby. “Mike left a lasting legacy in college athletics as well as in the fight against prostate cancer. The Conference joins with so many others in supporting this important endeavor of eradicating cancer.”
One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and a man dies of prostate cancer every 20 minutes. African-American men are 1.6 times more likely to get prostate cancer and more than twice likely to die from it. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death (after skin cancer) for men.
The Block Cancer initiative is possible due to the generous support of many companies, including Nike, Under Armour, Brooks Brothers, Prater Flooring, Linell Graphics, and Burton Advertising.
The Mike Slive Foundation endeavors to become a global leader in the fight to eradicate prostate cancer through public awareness and research funding in memory of Mike Slive, a transformative leader whose vision and direction revolutionized the business of collegiate sports.
About the Mike Slive Foundation
The Mike Slive Foundation for Prostate Cancer Research was founded in Birmingham, Alabama, by attorney Ed Meyerson and former SEC and Conference USA Commissioner Mike Slive. Composed of local business, medical and political leaders, the Foundation’s mission is to save lives by funding cutting-edge research and by raising awareness of prostate cancer. The Mike Slive Foundation is a new weapon in the fight against prostate cancer. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @MikeSliveFdn.
Heather Jeffcoat
Director of PR & Social Media
(205) 515-1972
heather@champbranding.com
