Tuesday, January 21, 2014

UK Hoops to Help Fight Alzheimer's Thursday and Sunday

The No. 9/8 Kentucky women's basketball team will not only take on two tough Southeastern Conference opponents this week but it will also help fight the battle against Alzheimer's as UK Hoops head coach Matthew Mitchell and his wife Jenna, in conjunction with their Mitchell Family Foundation, will donate $2 to the Pat Summitt Foundation for every fan who attends the Wildcats' next two games in Memorial Coliseum: Thursday vs. Alabama (7 p.m. ET) and Sunday vs. Arkansas (1 p.m. ET).

"Coach Summitt has impacted so many lives in a positive way," Mitchell said. "Jenna and I wouldn't be in the position we are today without Pat Summitt. Please join us as we help Pat continue to make a positive impact on the lives of people dealing with Alzheimer's."

The SEC, in cooperation with its 14-member institutions, is participating in "We Back Pat" Week. The week-long initiative is focused on bringing awareness and recognition to The Pat Summitt Foundation, a fund of East Tennessee Foundation, and its fight against Alzheimer's disease.

The Pat Summitt Foundation was launched November 27, 2011 by Pat and Tyler Summitt after her diagnosis of early-onset dementia, Alzheimer's type at the age of 59.

"We want to help fight this horrible disease and the Big Blue Nation can help us by buying tickets to our next two home games or if you already have tickets, just show up!" Mitchell said. "We hope to sell out Memorial (capacity 8,000) on Thursday and Sunday and be able to donate over $30,000 to the Pat Summitt Foundation."

To purchase tickets, go online at UKAthletics.com or Ticketmaster.com, call the UK ticket office at 1-800-928-CATS or visit the Joe Craft Center ticket office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. Tickets can also be purchased on game day from the ticket office.

Single-game reserved tickets cost $9 for all ages. General admission tickets for adults are $8 while single-game general admission tickets for seniors and children (ages 6-18, 65 and over) are only $5. UK students, faculty, staff and children ages five and under are admitted free in the general admission seating area, while supplies last.

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.

If you can't attend this week's games but would like to help by donating, visit www.patsummitt.org.

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