NEW YORK – The WNBA and its teams will help raise awareness and inspire others in the fight against breast cancer during WNBA Breast Health Awareness Week presented by Kaiser Permanente from Sept. 6-13.  In partnership with Bright Pink, a national non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women, the WNBA will concentrate on helping all women understand their risk for these diseases and how to take action to reduce their risk.

During the week, the WNBA will encourage women to turn awareness into action by taking the Bright Pink Assess Your Risk survey, an online tool that provides a personalized assessment on risk for breast and ovarian cancers. By visiting WNBA.com/assessrisk fans can take a proactive approach in reducing their risk for breast and ovarian cancer. In an effort to further support Bright Pink’s mission and programs, and in partnership with WNBA Cares, 100% proceeds from sales of BHA shirts sold on WNBAStore.com and at the NBA Store on 5^th avenue will benefit Bright Pink.

During BHA Week, ESPN2, NBA TV and ESPN3 will air several nationally televised matchups.  To tip off the week, the league’s top two teams will square off when the Minnesota Lynx visit the Los Angeles Sparks (10 p.m. ET on ESPN2).  NBA TV will televise three games during the week, including a doubleheader on Sept. 11 featuring the Dallas Wings hosting the New York Liberty (4:30 p.m. ET), followed by the Los Angeles Sparks visiting the Seattle Storm (7 p.m. ET).  To close out the week on Sept. 13 the three networks will combine to televise five games (including three on ESPN3), highlighted by reigning MVP Elena Delle Donne and the Chicago Sky hosting the defending champion Minnesota Lynx at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

In support of BHA Week, all 12 WNBA teams will host a BHA Night that features in-game presentations to honor local cancer survivors, live and silent auctions, and distribution of educational materials in partnership with local breast cancer awareness organizations. Kaiser Permanente, the first-ever health partner of the NBA and WNBA, has been a national leader in preventive health since its inception more than 70 years ago. The nation’s largest integrated health system is ranked No. 1 for breast-cancer screening in each of the regions it serves around the U.S., according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Highlights of WNBA Breast Health Awareness Week presented by Kaiser Permanente include:

• The Atlanta Dream and Grady Health System have once again joined forces against breast cancer with the annual “Dream Pink” game and auction. The Dream’s annual online auction began Sunday, Aug. 28 and concludes Tuesday, Sept. 6 during halftime of the team’s Dream Pink game.  Items will include exclusive one-on-one experiences with WNBA players, tickets to some of the hottest shows in Atlanta and other assorted sports memorabilia.  In addition, several items from Atlanta-area hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues are up for bid.  Dream players will also be wearing the pink uniforms for the Sept. 6 game.

• The New York Liberty will host Breast Health Awareness Night presented by Delta on Sept. 7.  The Liberty has partnered with Delta for a “retweet to donate” social media campaign, with Delta committed to donating $2 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for every retweet the team’s Breast Health Awareness message receives, with a maximum donation of $5,000.  At the game, the first 5,000 fans in attendance at Madison Square Garden will receive a drawstring bag and there will be an opportunity to participate in a silent auction, which will feature autographed pink and white Liberty jerseys.  Fans will also receive “I #ShowUp for….” placards at ingress, where they can recognize loved ones who have fought or are fighting breast cancer.

• The Indiana Fever will host its BHA Night presented by Community Healthy Network on Sept. 9.  Players will wear pink uniforms and shoes, which will be included in the live auction at the end of the evening.

• The Connecticut Sun will partner with the American Cancer Society (ACS) to host Breast Health Awareness Day on Sept. 11.  A silent auction will be held on the concourse, with all proceeds going to the ACS.  Game-worn pink jerseys signed by each player will be auctioned off, along with a variety of other items.  Sun head coach Curt Miller has also joined a distinguished group of community leaders in Connecticut participating in Real Men Wear Pink, ACS’s new initiative that engages men in the fight against breast cancer.  Fans will also have an opportunity to make an online purchase of a Heroes of Hope Card in memory of a family member or friend.  Cards will be distributed by ACS staff at the game and those who purchased the cards will be recognized at the game.

• On Sept. 13, Chicago Sky players will wear pink uniforms and accessories on #GETPINK Night presented by Weiss Memorial Hospital.  In the days leading up to the game, players will visit cancer patients at Weiss Memorial Hospital.  The Sky will also have a silent auction on the concourse featuring pink player memorabilia, as well as a live auction with up to six player jerseys following the game.  The players will also host a bake sale as part of the fundraising efforts.  All proceeds will benefit Gilda’s Club Chicago.  The Sky’s BHA ticket package includes a pink T-shirt and a donation to Gilda’s Club Chicago.

Additional information for all team activities can be found on WNBA.com.

2016 WNBA BREAST HEALTH AWARENESS NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAMES

Day        Date             Visitor             Home              Local         Eastern                 Network               

Tue.        Sept. 6          Minnesota       Los Angeles    7 p.m.        10 p.m.                  ESPN2

Sun.        Sept.11         New York        Dallas              3:30 p.m.   4:30 p.m.               NBA TV

Sun.        Sept. 11        Los Angeles    Seattle             4 p.m.        7 p.m.                    NBA TV

Tue.        Sept. 13        Indiana            Connecticut     7 p.m.        7 p.m.                    ESPN3

Tue.        Sept. 13        Washington     New York        7 p.m.        7 p.m.                    ESPN3

Tue.        Sept. 13        San Antonio    Atlanta             7 p.m.        7 p.m.                    ESPN3

Tue.        Sept. 13        Minnesota       Chicago           7 p.m.        8 p.m.                    ESPN2

Tue.        Sept. 13        Phoenix           Chicago           7:30 p.m.   10:30 p.m.             NBA TV

 

About Bright Pink
Bright Pink is a national non-profit focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women. The organization’s mission is to save women’s lives from breast and ovarian cancer by empowering them to live proactively at a young age.

Bright Pink’s innovative programs educate and equip young women to assess their risk for breast and ovarian cancer, reduce their risk, and detect these diseases at early, non life-threatening stages. Founded in 2007, Bright Pink strives to reach the 52 million women in the US between the ages of 18-45 with this life-saving education. Put Awareness In Action™ at BrightPink.org.

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 10.6 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: kp.org/share.

About the WNBA
The WNBA, which features 12 teams, is a unique global sports property combining competition, sportsmanship, and entertainment with its status as an icon for social change, achievement, and diversity.  The league, which counts Verizon as its leaguewide marquee partner, began its 20^th season on May 14, 2016.

Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, increase breast and women’s health awareness, support youth and family development, and focus on education.  For more information on the WNBA, log on to www.wnba.com.