Ganot issues Coaches vs. Cancer challenge

In the battle against cancer, Hawaii basketball coach Eran Ganot issued this challenge: Match my pledge.

Ganot and his family pledged $1,000 to Coaches vs. Cancer, which raises money to provide cancer patients with a stay at the Clarence T.C. Ching Hope Lodge Hawaii. In the days since announcing the challenge, 15 donors matched the Ganots’ donation.

“Every year we’ve broken our record in terms of raising money,” said Ganot, echoing the rallying cry that “our job is to crush cancer completely. We have made a lot of inroads. But it hasn’t been completely crushed.”

This is the 10th year that Ganot and local supporters have been involved with Coaches vs. Cancer, a nationwide initiative led by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The collective mission statement is to raise money, promote awareness, and advocate for cancer prevention and treatment.

In past years, the Hawaii event was tied to the Diamond Head Classic, which is now on hiatus. This year, the event is partnered with the 60th Rainbow Classic, the longest-running continuous college basketball tournament. The tournament will be played Friday, Sunday and Monday.

This Friday, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., there will be a fundraising event at the Ed Wong Hospitality Suite in the Stan Sheriff Center. Auction items will be available for bidding. Coaches from the four Rainbow Classic teams also will make appearances. All proceeds from donations will benefit the Clarence T.C. Ching Hope Lodge, which provides a cost-free residency for cancer patients and their caregivers while seeking life-saving treatment on Oahu.

For ticket and sponsorship inquiries, contact Kaitlyn McDonald at Kaitlyn.McDonald@cancer.org.