2015 WNBA Breast Health Awareness Week activities

From the league:

The WNBA and its teams will help raise awareness and inspire others in the fight against breast cancer during WNBA Breast Health Awareness Week from Aug. 4-9.  In partnership with the non-profit health organization Bright Pink, the WNBA will focus on prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women while providing support for high-risk individuals.

NBA TV, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 will air a combined 10 nationally televised games during BHA Week.  NBA TV will televise seven games, including a doubleheader on Aug. 9 featuring the Connecticut Sun visiting the Washington Mystics (4 p.m. ET), followed by the Minnesota Lynx hosting the Los Angeles Sparks (7 p.m. ET).  ESPN2 will televise a matchup between the Los Angeles Sparks and Minnesota Lynx on Aug. 4 (10 p.m. ET), and ESPN will feature a WNBA Finals rematch between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury on Aug. 9 (2 p.m. ET).  ESPN3 will carry a contest between the Tulsa Shock and the Phoenix Mercury on Aug. 4 (10 p.m. ET).

As part of the weeklong event, all 12 WNBA teams will host an in-arena Breast Health Awareness Night featuring special programming, including halftime presentations to honor local cancer survivors, live auctions, and the distribution of educational materials in partnership with local breast cancer awareness organizations.  Team highlights include:

• On Aug. 1, fans had the chance to take home an original piece of artwork from Tulsa Shock players and coaches.  Each member of the Shock painted the Tulsa skyline and signed their individual art.  Fans were able to bid on the paintings through silent and live auctions during the game, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to local nonprofit organizations that support the breast cancer community in Tulsa.

• Throughout BHA week, the Chicago Sky will host three home games dedicated to raising funds for the American Cancer Society and Gilda’s Club.  As part of the weeklong festivities, Sky Cares will host a silent auction on the concourse where fans can bid on sports memorabilia and exclusive Sky experiences.  On Aug. 9, the Sky will conclude BHA Week with a live auction, giving fans an opportunity to bid on the Sky’s game-worn pink jerseys following the contest.

• The Atlanta Dream and Grady Health System hosted a live auction on Aug. 2 at the conclusion of the Dream’s game against the Mercury.  The live auction included appearances by Dream players and featured authentic game-worn pink jerseys, unique fan experiences with Dream players, and more.  All proceeds from the live auction and an additional online auction will be donated to Grady’s Avon Foundation Breast Health Center in support of raising awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

• During halftime of their BHA game on Aug. 4, the Los Angeles Sparks will honor breast cancer survivors.  Sparks players will auction off their game worn pink BHA shoes via social media.  Players will sign the shoes and meet the auction winners at an upcoming game.  All proceeds of the auction will benefit Susan G. Komen.

• The San Antonio Stars will host a variety of events during BHA Week, leading up to their BHA game on Aug. 8.  The Stars and CHRISTUS Santa Rosa will send the Mobile Mammography Unit around San Antonio all week to offer free exams.  The Stars will wrap up the week with a postgame pink jersey auction on their pink court following the home contest.

• The Connecticut Sun will host its annual BHA night on Aug. 7.  The first 4,000 fans in attendance will receive pink stress balls, and a silent auction will be held on the concourse.  All game-worn pink jerseys signed by each player will be auctioned off, along with a variety of other items.

• On Aug. 6, the Indiana Fever will partner with Downtown Indiana to support breast health awareness at the Indiana Fever Pretty In Pink Happy Hour.  Fever players will be in attendance to sign autographs, take photos, and address the crowd.  Additionally, the Fever will host the team’s BHA Night presented by Community Healthy Network on Aug. 7.  Players will wear pink uniforms and shoes, which will be included in the live auction at the end of the night.  Along with the pink presence on the court, all fans in attendance will receive a pink pompom.

• On Aug. 9, the Washington Mystics will play their annual BHA Game against Connecticut.  Throughout the game, the Mystics organization and its players will highlight the importance of cancer screenings and honor those who have been touched by breast cancer.  Fans will also have an opportunity to honor family and friends with special cards provided on the concourse.

• The New York Liberty will host Breast Health Awareness Night presented by Delta on Aug. 11.  Madison Square Garden will turn pink that night, including special lighting planned for the building’s exterior, suite level, and Delta Club.  The Italian Cancer Foundation will have a mobile unit on site to provide free mammogram testing. Courtesy of Delta, fans will receive a Liberty “fandana” and will also have the opportunity to participate in silent and live auctions.  The auctions will feature signed memorabilia and trip packages, including a chance to travel with Liberty Director of Player Development Teresa Weatherspoon to watch the regular-season finale against Indiana on Sunday, Sept. 13.

• On Aug. 16, the Seattle Storm will host the team’s BHA Night, including a silent auction to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  Additionally, the Storm will provide complimentary game tickets to local cancer organizations for the areas they serve, as well as for their staff and volunteers.

• The Minnesota Lynx will host its BHA Game presented by Mayo Clinic on Aug. 9, with the first 2,500 fans receiving a pink bandana.  The Lynx will host an honor/memory wall in the Lynx Party Zone for fans to write notes to friends and family who are affected by breast cancer.  The team will also auction off game-worn jerseys following that evening’s contest.  Additionally, the Lynx will host its seventh annual Catwalk for a Cure presented by Mayo Clinic on Aug. 26 at the Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square.  Lynx players and coaches will take part in a fashion show that will feature a silent auction, with all proceeds from the event going to the Lynx Foundation in support of breast cancer research and programs throughout the state of Minnesota.

• The Phoenix Mercury will visit patients at Mountain Vista Medical Center, sign autographs, pose for pictures with the 2014 WNBA championship trophy, and pass out Mercury gift baskets.  The week will culminate with the team’s Rock the Pink Night presented by IASIS HealthCare on Aug. 7 when the team hosts the Lynx.  Prior to the game, the Mercury will sell pink luminarias, where fans can write messages in honor of those who have been affected by breast cancer.  The luminarias will be placed in the shape of a pink breast cancer ribbon on the US Airways Center Plaza and lit at halftime.  As part of the special night, the Mercury will honor five breast cancer survivors during the starting lineup introductions, as well as more than 25 survivors during the national anthem.  The Mercury organization will also host a silent auction throughout the game, as well as a live auction featuring game-worn jerseys following the conclusion of the contest.  All proceeds from both auctions and the luminarias will benefit the American Cancer Society.