The state’s division one college basketball coaches will gather at Prairie Meadows on tonight for the annual “Coaches versus Cancer Gala.” All the funds raised from the event benefit the American Cancer Society.
It started in 2007 when Theresa McDermott the wife of then UNI coach Gregg McDermott was diagnosed with breast cancer, according to Kevin Lehman who serves on the event committee. Lehman says they’ve raised $1.6 toward cancer research
Iowa coach Fran McCaffery will not be at the event but will be represented by his wife Margaret. He says it really hits home with the McCaffery’s son being diagnosed with cancer. “Everyone has been touched in some way by someone who has cancer, in their family or by someone with a close friendship,” Lehman says.
Lehman says tickets for the event are still available and you can go to www.coachvscancergala.com to get tickets.