For athletes like Dereck Lively II and Dwight Powell, sporting a pink sweatband or pair of bright pink sneakers on the basketball court means something.
It means something not just because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month but because they have each experienced the profound impact of a cancer diagnosis leading to the tragic loss of their mothers.
Through the immense hardship, however, both Lively and Powell have acted as passionate advocates for cancer awareness.
This October, the Mavericks players teamed up with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, named for Hall of Fame basketball coach Kay Yow, who faced a 22-year battle with breast cancer, to change the narrative around cancers affecting women by educating, empowering and equipping the next generation.
This year, the Kay Yow EmPOWERment Tour stopped at area high schools Yvonne E. Ewell Townview Center – School of Health Professions, PACE High School and Franklin D. Roosevelt High School of Innovation.
Lively and Powell joined the presentation for students at Roosevelt High School to share their own experiences and encourage the next generation to use their power to spread awareness.
“It was great to have an opportunity to speak to these kids about this topic, especially with D-Live, since he and I have shared a very unfortunate but similar experience at a young age, not much older than these kids,” said Powell. “Hopefully, the students sense the seriousness in our voice when we say that they have power and it is important for them to take action, find ways to support their community, learn more, and have those difficult conversations because they can prevent a lot of pain, and they can prevent a lot of deaths.
“They have the power to change lives and power to save lives, and they need to know that. They need to feel that in their gut every day and in everything they do because that power transcends everything, and they need to use it.”
Powell delivered this message directly to the students during the players’ on-stage Q&A session following the presentation.
“I think about myself only a handful of years ago, being in their shoes when I was laying back in my seat during assemblies, not paying attention,” said Lively. “This was about trying to grab their attention, trying to make sure they’re informed and educated, and that they know no matter how little they think they are, their voice is big.”
Students at all three EmPOWERment Tour stops receive more than a one-hour presentation.
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund will follow up with a series of five text messages that include life-saving information and a call to action to speak with a woman they love about their health.
“Let’s say these students may not be able to change the minds of their mother or their grandmother, or whomever, but at least now they have the education and the knowledge, so when it’s time for them to have a pelvic exam, a colonoscopy, a breast exam, they won’t be fearful,” said Audra Smith, vice president of Play for Kay with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
“…Our goal with the EmPOWERment Tour is to educate and hopefully break the cycle so that, at some point, we can eradicate this terrible disease that has affected so many people.”
The Dallas Mavericks organization will continue its mission to raise awareness about the risk of breast cancer during the team’s Breast Health Awareness Night, presented by the UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center, on Monday, Oct. 28, when the Mavs face the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Center.
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