Be the Power of One More

Coach Kay Yow, Hall of Fame basketball coach and 22-year breast cancer survivor, believed in the power of sports to unite people and drive change. During her own cancer battle, she sketched a dream on the back of a napkin: rally 5,000 teams to each give $1,000 to raise $5 million in the fight against all cancers affecting women.

That vision became the Kay Yow Cancer Fund—founded to expand access to care, support women through treatment, and celebrate survivorship.

A Game-Changing Commitment to Women's Health Equity

Every minute, a woman is diagnosed with cancer. For those in under-resourced areas, barriers like long travel distances, financial limitations, and fewer screening resources can turn a treatable disease into a deadly one. Women in rural areas, for example, are 22% more likely to die from cervical cancer.

Together, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and NJCAA will bring critical education, support, and services into the communities where student-athletes live, learn, and lead—breaking down barriers and building a healthier future for all women.

Through Play4Kay games, NJCAA member schools will honor survivors and raise funds to fuel the mission. Access grants will be provided by the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to support screenings, transportation, and outreach in under-resourced NJCAA communities. And the EmPOWERment Tour will educate and equip student-athletes to lead change beyond the court.