From St. John’s University, Jamaica

QUEENS, N.Y. (Sept. 18, 2014) – For the fourth-consecutive year, the Red Storm men’s and women’s basketball programs will join forces with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) to host Dribble For The Cure on the St. John’s University Queens campus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, as part of University Service Day. The St. John’s Dribble For The Cure event has raised $125,000 for pediatric cancer research since its inception, including a third-year individual-event record of $70,000.

The fundraising and awareness event, which features participants dribbling a basketball around campus, will also include a carnival in Carnesecca Plaza with games and face painting, an autograph session with the men’s and women’s basketball teams, and performances by the St. John’s cheer squad, dance team and pep band.

“St. John’s Basketball is proud to continue its association with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation for a fourth-consecutive year by hosting our annual Dribble For The Cure,” said men’s basketball head coach Steve Lavin, who was honored by PCRF in July with the 2014 Dream Big Award. “I strongly encourage our fans and the local community to join our student-athletes and staff as we work collectively to raise funds for cancer research with the objective of finding a cure for cancer.”

“This will be the fourth year that our student-athletes have participated in this great event and I couldn’t be more proud of their devotion to such a worthy cause,” said women’s basketball head coach Joe Tartamella. “Events like these show that our young women are not only tremendous student-athletes, but also exemplary members of the community.”

The proceeds from the event support the PCRF Laboratory directed by Mitchell Cairo, M.D., at the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at New York Medical College in Westchester. A world-renowned researcher, Cairo’s work has contributed to dramatically increased survival rates of childhood cancers, blood disorders and immunological diseases.

“With funding for pediatric cancer research declining, we are grateful to St. John’s and the Red Storm basketball programs for this incredible program that recognizes our families fighting cancer,” said PCRF Executive Director Jeri Wilson.

Dribble For The Cure was created by PCRF as a way for college and university basketball programs to help raise money for children’s cancer research and bring dollars to local medical institutions for the care and treatment of children with cancer. John Vallely, a former NBA player and a two-time national champion at UCLA, is the founder of Dribble For The Cure and serves as an advisor.

Event registration is $25 for adults, $10 for St. John’s students and $10 for children. Companies, individuals, schools, clubs, teams and other organizations can help fundraise for the event by starting a Dribble For The Cure Team. Please note: each participant is asked to bring their own basketball.

For participant information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact PCRF Development Associate Jessica Orozco at JOrozco@pcrf-kids.org or 1-800-354-7273 (ext. 13). Visit www.dribbleforthecure.com for more information on the event or to register.