News Releases

School of Business students plan and play to fight breast cancer

Friday, October 30, 2009

BY WAYNE LARSON

"It seems like everybody I talk to knows somebody that has breast cancer," said first-year School of Business Master's of Business Administration (MBA) student Ivana Catic. That reason, and many others, is why Catic and Master's of Accounting (MAcc) student Rebecca Feickert are helping the non-profit women's health organization Wilmore, Englewood, Protection, Ashland and Coldwater, Kan. (WEPAC) Alliance this weekend by playing in the organization's Hoops for Hope Game on Friday Oct. 30 from 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. in Ashland, Kan.

In addition to using the basketball skills they used as KU Women's Basketball players, they will also be using skills they are currently learning in the School of Business. The two students are helping WEPAC organize a watch-party at Wayne & Larry's Sports Bar & Grill in Lawrence, Kan. "The School has taught me to strategically negotiate and communicate with business partners to get goals accomplished," said Feickert.

Money raised by the WEPAC events this weekend will go to support collective health care needs for women in Wilmore, Englewood, Protection, Ashland and Coldwater, Kan. "Knowing that I will be fund raising for mammograms that are going to be provided to small-town Kansas residents who may not have the services available to them is very gratifying," said Feickert.

The women are excited to play in the event as well as oversee the planning of the watch- party at Wayne & Larry's Sports Bar & Grill. "No matter how much money we raise, I know we will help a few people, and those few people have family, so it will be like helping them, too," said Catic.

The watch-party is from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. on Friday Oct. 30. There will be a sectioned-off area of the restaurant, which is located at 933 Iowa St., to watch the game. The game starts at 8:30 p.m. and will be shown on FSN Midwest. There is a $5 cover-charge to participate in the watch-party. Drink special privileges will be given to people who donate to WEPAC.

"As a basketball player I have learned there is so much more to basketball than just playing the game. So any time I get the opportunity to use my skills for a good cause I like to do so," said Feickert. Neither student plans on getting winded during the game because fighting breast cancer will keep them going. "We will be playing with our heart, so there is no way I will get tired," said Catic.