Coaches vs. Cancer event coming up on December 20
A Coaches vs. Cancer fundraising event is set for December 20 at The Reef Bar & Market Grill in the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort.
The event will start at 7:00 p.m., and tickets are $125 per person. Proceeds will benefit Hope Lodge Hawaii, which serves as a home-away-from-home for cancer patients and their caregivers while they are undergoing treatment.
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets
In addition to food and drink, the event offers a chance for fans to meet and mingle with the participating coaches in the 2019 Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. The head coaches in this year’s field include James Whitford (Ball State), Leon Rice (Boise State), Josh Pastner (Georgia Tech), Kelvin Sampson (Houston), Terry Porter (Portland), Rodney Terry (UTEP) and Mike Hopkins (Washington).
The University of Hawai’i is the host team for the tournament, and head coach Eran Ganot is a member of the Coaches vs. Cancer National Council. However, Ganot remains on an indefinite medical leave of absence. Acting head coach Chris Gerlufsen is expected to attend the event.
There are other ways to support the cause:
• Donations can be made at any participating Texaco station in Hawaii. Island Energy will use a $5,000 grant to match donations made through Texaco.
• $1 from each ticket sold for the December 22 evening session games for the Diamond Head Classic will be added to the donation to Hope Lodge Hawaii.
Here is the official announcement …
HONOLULU – Join some of the nation’s top NCAA basketball coaches and Hawaii’s top organization as they unite to defeat a common enemy – cancer. Led by Coach Eran Ganot and the UH Men’s Basketball Coaching Staff, coaches from the teams participating in the 2019 Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic are leading the ways to support Hawaii’s Hope Lodge – a home-away-from-home for cancer patients as they undergo treatment in Honolulu, as well as a sanctuary for their caregivers.
Firstly, as a part of the American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer program, the public is invited to mingle with the coaches at Coaches vs. Cancer at The Reef Bar & Market Grill – located in the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. The event brings together coaches and fans as they raise money for a worthy cause.
“Cancer is something that has touched all our lives in one way or another and it’s something we all need to fight together,” said Coach Ganot, who is part of the Coaches vs. Cancer National Council. “Each of the participating coaches wants to thank you for sharing in the fight against cancer, so please join us at the Coaches vs. Cancer benefit so we can say mahalo in person.”
Sean Dee, Outrigger’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer shared, “It is Outrigger’s honor to be a part of the Coaches vs. Cancer benefit. As the official hospitality partner of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, we invite the entire community to come mingle with the coaches, enjoy some great food and drink, and help provide hope to those at Hope Lodge.”
Secondly, to help extend the reach of Coaches vs. Cancer, Island Energy – the local company behind Texaco in Hawai‘i – has issued a $5,000 challenge grant. The grant will match dollar-for-dollar all donations made at participating Texaco stations statewide.
“It’s an honor to be able to share in the mission of Coaches vs. Cancer and the Hope Lodge,” said Island Energy CEO Jon Mauer. “We’ve learned first-hand how much Hope Lodge does, providing cancer patients with vital support. It is our hope,” continued Mauer, “that through this challenge grant, our whole community will become more aware of the good Hope Lodge does and will choose to help.”
Lastly, the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic has announced that $1.00 from every ticket sold to the session two games on December 22nd (Ball State vs. Washington at 4:30pm and UTEP vs. Hawai‘i at 6:30pm) will be donated to the cause. The Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic is made possible in part by Hawai‘I Tourism.
Coach Ganot added, “We’re extremely grateful to partners like the Outrigger Reef, Island Energy, and the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic for their generosity. Together, with the fans, they’re providing essential support for those battling cancer here in Hawai‘i.”
What: Coaches vs. Cancer – A Benefit for Hope Lodge Hawai‘i
When: Friday, December 20, 2019 at 7:00 pm
Where: The Reef Bar & Market Grill at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
Summary: Enjoy food and drink while mingling with coaches participating in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic basketball tournament
Tickets: $125 per person and available at crowdrise.com/hicoachesvscancer
What: Island Energy $5,000 Challenge Grant
When: The month of December
Where: All participating Texaco stations in Hawai‘i
Summary: Those who wish to make a donation to Coaches vs. Cancer as part of the $5,000 matching grant may visit a participating Texaco station beginning December 1, 2019 and ask the attendant for a donation slip.
What: Hawaiian Arilines Diamond Head Classic – $1 Per Ticket Donation
When: Sunday, December 22, 2019
Ball State vs. Washington at 4:30pm
UTEP vs. Hawai‘i at 6:30pm
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
Summary: For every tickets sold to the session two games on Sunday, December 22, 2019, the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic will donate $1 to the Coaches vs. Cancer’s fundraiser for Hope Lodge Hawai‘i.
Note: The Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic is made possible in part by Hawai‘i Tourism.
