SEC Announces Fourth Annual “We Back Pat” Week
Friday, January 16, 2015 | Women's Basketball
Birmingham, Ala. -- The Southeastern Conference in cooperation with its 14-member institutions announces the fourth annual “We Back Pat” Week, a week-long initiative focused on bringing awareness and recognition to the Pat Summitt Foundation, a fund of East Tennessee Foundation, and its fight against Alzheimer's disease.
SEC member institutions will support The Pat Summitt Foundation during their home basketball games, January 18-26. During the women's games slated for the week, various efforts will be made to increase awareness of The Pat Summitt Foundation.
The University of Florida women's basketball team will bring the initiative to the Stephen C. O'Connell for two of its home games during the week-long recognition.
On Monday, January 19, when the Gators host No. 1 South Carolina, and on Sunday, January 25, when the team entertains Arkansas, the student-athletes will wear special purple shooting shirts during its pregame warmup and the coaching staff will wear those same shirts with sneakers on the bench during the games.
"I am again honored and humbled that the Southeastern Conference schools are continuing to support the work of the Pat Summitt Foundation's fight against Alzheimer's. This annual SEC "We Back Pat" week brings great public awareness for our cause and helps raise funds for research, patient services and education,” said Summitt.
“I want to thank the SEC and all the member institutions who are participating along with ESPN for their support. It means so much to Tyler and me that you have again joined us in our efforts. Together We Will Win."
The Pat Summitt Foundation Fund launched November 27, 2011 by Pat Summitt after her diagnosis of early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type at the age of 59. In a videotaped statement shown during the announcement of the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund, Pat Summitt said, "Tyler and I have decided to join this battle, not just for us, but also for the millions of families affected by this disease. I have always told our players, our greatest opportunities are disguised as our greatest obstacles. It is time to treat this obstacle as an opportunity and a stepping stone to a cure."
The Pat Summitt Foundation Fund will make grants to nonprofits which provide:
• Education and awareness of Alzheimer's, its onset and treatment
• Support services to patients, their families and caregivers
• Research to treat, prevent, cure, and ultimately eradicate this disease
About The Pat Summitt Foundation
The Pat Summitt Foundation, A Fund of East Tennessee Foundation, is dedicated to winning the fight against Alzheimer's disease. Its mission as a grant-making foundation is to advance research for prevention and a cure; to provide hope, care, and critical support for patients, caregivers and families; and to educate the public on the impacts of Alzheimer's disease and the urgent need for a cure.
Pat Summitt, her family and friends have chosen East Tennessee Foundation to receive and manage contributions to Pat's Fund, and to facilitate their grant-making in support of the mission. To learn more about the Foundation visit the website at www.patsummitt.org.
About East Tennessee Foundation
East Tennessee Foundation (ETF) is a public, nonprofit, community foundation created for the purpose of building charitable resources to make communities stronger and lives better through thoughtful giving. It is located at 625 Market Street, Suite 1400, Knoxville, TN 37902. For more information, call 865-524-1223 or visit www.easttennesseefoundation.org.
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