On Friday night, the Saint Louis University women’s basketball team will team up with the St. Louis Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation to raise awareness about the disease and to raise money for the foundation.

Last summer, the Billikens were brainstorming promotional ideas for this season, and it was suggested that the team form a partnership with a breast cancer awareness organization.

Allison West, the team’s ticket sales and promotions coordinator, contacted the Komen St. Louis organization, and the partnership was formed. The mission of Komen St. Louis, according to the organization’s public relations chair Carrie Schierer, “is to eradicate breast cancer as a life threatening disease through the advancement of research, education, screening and treatment.”

The foundation has been the leading catalyst in the fight against breast cancer. The organization has headquarters in Dallas and has 114 affiliates nationwide, as well as four international affiliates.

“Locally we raise money, organize and conduct programs for education, screening and support for survivors,” Schierer said. “Seventy-five percent of the money raised stays in St. Louis, and the other 25 percent is sent to our headquarters, and all of it goes to research. The largest fundraiser Komen St. Louis undertakes is the Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure.

Last year, the race drew participation from 31,563 runners and walkers and generated $950,000. This year’s race will be held on June 22, and Komen St. Louis expects an even greater turnout.

“We’re anticipating 40,000 participants in this year’s race, and we anticipate raising $1.1 million. We’re also very excited that Kurt and Brenda Warner will be the co-chairs of the race this year,” Schierer said.

Besides the annual race, Komen St. Louis organizes fundraisers such as the BMW Ultimate Drive, in which people test-drive a new BMW, and one dollar is donated to the organization for every mile driven.

In addition to raising funds, the organization places great focus on being involved with the St. Louis community by hosting luncheons for breast cancer survivors, as well as by producing a bi-monthly support group calendar.

In 2001, approximately 192,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. Sadly, more than 40,000 women lost their battle with the deadly disease that year.

One woman is diagnosed every three minutes, which, to put into perspective, is approximately the amount of time necessary to read a newspaper article. However, breast cancer is detectable and curable if detected early. In fact, the disease is 95 percent curable if detected in the early stages while the cancer is isolated in the breast.

“Although it’s uncommon, women in their 20s get breast cancer,” Schierer said. “Yearly clinicals are important especially for younger women, as well as self-exams which should be performed monthly during the week after menstruation. It’s also important to mention that breast cancer doesn’t have to run in the family. Ninety to 95 percent of cases have no family history.”

“For us, it’s a cause that needs a lot of peoples’ attention,” said coach Jill Pizzotti. “We need to draw attention to breast cancer awareness, since it’s not a disease that affects only women in their 40s and 50s, it can affect women in their 20s.”

The team will donate $2 from every paid admission to Komen St. Louis and will feature Kiesha Powell, a 29-year-old breast cancer survivor. In addition, information about breast cancer, such as shower cards, will be distributed during the game.

“I’m really happy that our ladies had the opportunity to meet Kiesha and to hear her story. It will make hearing her speak at halftime more meaningful,” Pizzotti said. “I think it will be a special night for everyone in the gym.”