Suits & Sneakers Day at the Capitol Thursday Jan. 26th!

Business attire at the Kansas State Capitol this Thursday, Jan. 26, will be suits and sneakers, as the Governor and Legislators will be hosting Kansas College Coaches and American Cancer Society volunteers to tip off Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers weekend. Loafers and heels will be swapped for sneakers to spotlight the fact that cancer remains a major health concern and everyone can take daily steps to reduce their risk of the disease.

Tip Off Program, 12:30 to 1:15 p.m., Second Floor Foyer, State Capitol with remarks from: • Kansas Governor Sam Brownback • K-State Head Basketball Coach Frank Martin • Kansas House Minority Leader Paul Davis • Washburn University Head Basketball Coaches Bob Chipman and Ron McHenry, and Head Football Coach Craig Schurig • American Cancer Society volunteer • Master of Ceremonies will be four-time Kansas Sportscaster of the Year Bruce Steinbrock • Reception to immediately follow the program • Appearances by Wichita State University Cheerleaders, the WUshock Mascot, and Washburn’s Mr. Ichabod

Gov. Brownback and the Coaches will share how cancer has personally touched their lives and why making everyone aware of prevention and early detection of cancer is so important.

“Suits and Sneakers Day is a great way to spread awareness of cancer prevention,” Governor Brownback says. “On behalf of all Kansans, we are proud to show our support for healthy lifestyle decisions and to support all attempts to put this killer to death.”

Wearing sneakers is much more than a fashion statement; it’s a visual reminder that prevention is key when it comes to blocking cancer before it takes center court in people’s lives. “We are excited that Governor Brownback, Kansas Legislators and College Coaches across our state are joining in the fight against this deadly disease,” says Chris Masoner, American Cancer Society Government Relations Director in Kansas. “Coaches and government leaders are truly influential celebrities within their communities; they can reach fans and constituents to share important information about reducing the risk of cancer by encouraging healthy lifestyle choices.”

“Our American Cancer Society volunteers will also be here in their sneakers, making sure our government leaders know that the decisions made at the Statehouse do have a big impact on the lives of cancer patients and survivors throughout Kansas,” Masoner explains.

Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Weekend Set for January 27-29

Coaches from Kansas State University, the University of Kansas, Washburn University, Wichita State University and other Kansas colleges will join nearly 4,000 head and assistant basketball coaches across the U.S. swapping loafers for sneakers during the 9th annual Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers weekend on January 27-29, 2012 --- an effort to bring awareness to the American Cancer Society’s vision of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

At least half of all new cancer cases can be either prevented or detected earlier by screening. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2011 an estimated 171,600 preventable cancer deaths were caused by tobacco use, and scientific evidence suggests about a third of the more than 570,000 cancer deaths that occurred last year were related to being overweight or obese, physical inactivity and poor nutrition. Being overweight and obese are associated with increased risk for developing a number of cancers, including certain breast, colon, endometrium, kidney and pancreatic cancers.

Coaches vs. Cancer is a collaborative initiative of the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), empowering coaches, their teams and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. Since 1993, the initiative has raised more than $75 million dollars to fund groundbreaking research, provide up-to-date cancer literacy, advocate for public health policies, and deliver services to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

Kansas State and Kansas University Basketball Programs offer the 3-Point Attack pledge program that recruits college basketball fans to the coaches’ cancer-fighting teams. Fans participate by making pledges for each three-pointer made during the season by their team. Pledges are collected by the American Cancer Society at the end of the season. All who contribute to Coaches vs. Cancer know that, in addition to supporting their favorite team, they are also helping the Society save more lives and diminish suffering from cancer by helping people stay well, get well, find cures and fight back against this terrible disease that touches so many lives. For more information about the 3-Point Attack pledge program, call 800-359-1025 or email Stacie.Schroeder@cancer.org.

To learn more about cancer or to get help, call the Society anytime, day or night, at 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org