In late November, when Millikin women’s basketball coach Lori Kerans faced a second bout with cancer, the school urged the community to show support for her by planning to attend its Valentine’s Day PinkZone event.

The community responded, turning out not only to help raise more than $11,500 to battle breast cancer, but to celebrate Kerans’ second victory over the disease. Kerans, who also survived an occurrence during the late 1990s, long has championed cancer awareness and actively worked to raise funds for research.

To honor the coach, Millikin chose to use its PinkZone event to benefit the Decatur, Illinois, chapter of the Komen Race for the Cure, which funds several local programs, including a free mammography initiative.

“The women’s basketball team embraced the opportunity to use the game as a stage to promote breast cancer awareness and to celebrate life,” said Kerans, who has returned to the bench after surgery last fall.

More than 1,200 people attended the game and participated in activities to raise funds, including a silent auction featuring ceramics projects designed by women’s basketball team members and coaches that raised more than $3,900. Another highlight was senior guard Tracie Yantis’ second donation during her career of hair to the Locks of Love program.

A local radio broadcast of the game and a remote broadcast on the day before the game also helped raise funds, and local businesses and organizations made contributions. Several Millikin fraternities and sororities also contributed, including the college’s Alpha Tau Omega chapter, which donated $725.

“As a survivor, I am particularly moved by the passion and commitment of Millikin’s campus community, the Decatur medical community, and friends, families and survivors,” Kerans said. “There is no doubt in my mind that we scored a victory in the PinkZone.”

Even Millikin’s opponent for the day, Augustana (Illinois), pitched in, donating its meal money for the trip. A local restaurant then provided pizzas for a postgame meal.

“It really was a collaboration of different groups and individuals who made this a success,” said Joe Hakes, Millikin director of athletics. “Beyond the money that we raised, it was a privilege to honor the cancer survivors that were there and to provide education and direction regarding care and prevention of a pervasive disease. Looking at the crowd from my perspective was inspiring and we look forward to next year’s opportunity with this event.”