Play4Kay events unite Hillsborough
February 11, 2012
BY LORI D.R. WIGGINS
Play 4Kay on Hillsborough Street is Midtown’s inaugural version of an annual, nationwide initiative that asks college teams to dedicate one game to raising breast cancer awareness and funds for scientific research.
But here, there’s a twist, courtesy of the Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation.
Tonight, the N.C. State University women’s basketball team will play in the seventh annual Hoops 4 Hope, their Play 4Kay game to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. All month, leading up to – and beyond – tonight’s game, the HSCSC invites us to a series of fundraising events and activities.
We’re talking a 4K Walk 4Kay, Karaoke 4Kay, a Pink Pack Tuesday Mardi Gras celebration and a chance to challenge N.C. State coaches in Wii and Xbox. All Play 4Kay on Hillsborough Street proceeds will add to the total funds raised for Hoops 4 Hope, scheduled for 5 p.m. in Reynolds Coliseum. The Rex Mammography Unit will be on site, and 2011 American Idol winner Scotty McCreery will perform at halftime.
It’s all about teamwork. The partnership between HSCSC, N.C. State athletics and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund was created to promote Hillsborough Street, community and university connectedness and the eradication of women’s cancers.
And it’s exactly the kind of thing HSCSC envisioned when it was launched in 2009 as a business improvement district by the city of Raleigh, N.C. State and property owners on Hillsborough Street.
“We latched on to the idea of Play 4Kay as a fun and active way to engage with merchants, drive foot traffic to the street to promote Hillsborough Street as a destination place, and support breast cancer research,” said Jeff Murison, HSCSC’s executive director.
Along the way, Murison said, people will become customers, engage in the community and connect with the university – and learn more about the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and ongoing research efforts to eradicate women’s cancers.
“These are building blocks,” he added.
Other HSCSC Play 4Kay partners include the Alexander Family YMCA, The BrickHouse Sports Pub, Melvin’s Burgers @ The Alley, Hot Box Pizza, Porter’s Tavern and ColorGraphics.
For a complete list of events, visit www.hillsboroughstreet.org. For now, check out these highlights:
Throwback Arcade and Wii Game Night happens tonight at Porter’s City Tavern, which will also host Play 4Kay Valentine’s Day Drink Specials on Tuesday and a Wolf Pack basketball viewing party Thursday and Feb. 21.
Hotbox Mondays means tomorrow and Feb. 20, Hotbox Pizza will donate 15 percent of each order accompanied by a Play 4Kay flier to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Karaoke 4Kay will be on at 9 p.m. Friday at The BrickHouse, which will also host a pool and cornhole tournament at 4 p.m. Saturday.
About a year ago, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund moved its headquarters from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association offices in Atlanta to Raleigh. With the move, what had been the WBCA Pink Zone was rebranded Play 4Kay in an effort to keep the story and legacy of Kay Yow in the forefront.
Yow, who coached at N.C. State over three decades and endured public battles with breast cancer along the way, established the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Yow lost her 22-year battle in 2009.
“It’s been overwhelming to see the support of both N.C. State and the local community,” said Megan Smith, director of marketing and development for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. “The Play 4Kay on Hillsborough Street is a prime example of that.
“Extending the timeframe is going to generate more awareness and more funds for cancer research, and it will allow us to continue to improve and extend the lives of women’s cancer patients, which was Kay Yow’s ultimate goal.”
This year, more than 1,000 schools have registered to participate in Play 4Kay events, Smith added.
What’s happening here in Midtown is significant because this is where Yow’s story begins, said Sue Donohoe, former NCAA vice president and newly appointed executive director of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
“The outpouring of support from the Hillsborough Street businesses is a model of how an entire community can unite to raise money for cancer research,” she said in a prepared statement. “It is this type of unwavering support that ensures Coach Yow’s legacy and vision will endure.”
