Rogers State University and Claremore Regional Hospital are set to host “Hoopin’ for the Cure,” a four-team women’s basketball tournament at the Claremore Expo Friday and Saturday.

Hoopin’ for the Cure is designed to raise funds for breast cancer research and promote awareness of the disease. In addition to the basketball games scheduled for Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, the event will include a survivor walk, a silent auction, a pancake breakfast featuring a testimony from a breast cancer survivor and a number of other activities on the RSU campus throughout the week.

Oklahoma City University, Texas College and Ecclesia College will join the RSU women’s basketball team for the two-day event. OCU will play Texas College in the opening game Friday at 6 p.m. followed by RSU and Ecclessia at 8 p.m. Saturday’s match-ups will feature OCU and Ecclesia at 2 p.m. and the Hillcats against Texas College at 4 p.m.

The week’s activities will kick off on Tuesday when RSU’s own LeeAnn Sipes, a breast cancer survivor and instructor of nursing, will speak about the importance of early detection of breast cancer, share her story and answer questions. The event will begin at 7 p.m. in RSU’s Health Science Center, Room 135, and is open to everyone.

Theresa Becker will be the guest speaker at Saturday’s pancake breakfast sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Claremore. Becker, an associate athletic director at the University of Kansas, will share her survival story with the four participating teams. She is a former top assistant at the University of Nebraska where she coached RSU’s Amy Williams.

Hoopin’ for the Cure was formulated by RSU Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach Michael Wells. Wells is serving as the tournament director and says the event is personal for him.

“I kind of have a heart to help people and cancer is something that’s impacted my family and so many other people’s too.” Wells said. “We already had the tournament dates set so we thought it would be a good project to allow us to give back to the community who comes out to support us.”

In addition to Claremore Regional’s title sponsorship, Hoopin’ for the Cure has also received contributions from a number of other local businesses. RCB Bank, Claremore Compounding Center, Beggs Pharmacy, Community Home Health, Microtel Inn and Suites, C&R Oil Company, Williams Construction, Northeast Oklahoma Cancer Center and Kemp Stone have all made donations for the cause.

RSU President Dr. Larry Rice has made a contribution on behalf of the university and has issued a challenge to the presidents of the other participating schools to do the same. Several student groups are coordinating efforts to raise funds and awareness on campus as well. A silent auction will be held at the Expo during the games Friday and Saturday. Items include tickets to the U.S. Amateur Championship at Southern Hills, OSU vs. Texas Tech men’s basketball tickets and OU vs. Arkansas men’s basketball tickets. Winners will be announced during halftime of the RSU vs. Texas College game Saturday.

Area residents who are breast cancer survivors or have been directly affected by the disease are encouraged to get involved. For more information call Michael Wells at 343-7883 or e-mail at mwells@rsu.edu.