Patroons Dedicate Game for Cancer Awareness

February 16, 2007 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Albany Patroons News Release


ALBANY, NY - For the first time in the history of the Albany Patroons, the management and team is dedicating its game on Sunday, Feb. 18, to raise funds to help a former Patroons cheerleader and a longtime fan and supporter with their battles with prostrate and breast cancer.

"When we found out about Kathleen Ryan's battle with breast cancer while taking care of her mom with Alzheimer's, we jumped right on board about dedicating the game to Breast Cancer Awareness in Kathleen's honor," says Derrick "Dr. D" Rowland, assistant Patroons coach. "Then we found out from Kathleen that former Patroons cheerleader Fred Campbell has prostrate cancer. We all agreed to raise funds for Cancer Awareness in both their honors and in memory of the late Patroons and NBA Coach Bill Musselman, who died at age 59 from bone marrow cancer.

"I have known Kathleen for nearly 20 years, from the Patroon games and from her days at Albany Law School, where the mother of my children attended," Rowland adds. "She has always been a very positive person and a true giver. She is always trying to help others, just like how she wants to share Sunday's game with others battling cancer."

Kathleen was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on July 28, 2006, and underwent a double mastectomy on Dec. 1, 2006, opening home game for the Patroons 2006-07 season. In addition, Kathleen has been taking care of her mother who has been battling Alzheimer's since January 1998. Kathleen moved into her mother's home nearly three years ago to take care of her.

A native of this region, Kathleen graduated from Catholic Central High School (CCHS) in 1976 and was a cheerleader throughout her high school years. As a matter of fact, in 1973, Kathleen was greatly injured in the championship game that went into double overtime between CCHS (Dave "Mooners" Bestle, the Patroons operations director and head of sales and marketing, was a member of the team) and the former Vincentian Institute.

Too many tickets were sold and the crowd went crazy at the end of the game. Bleachers collapsed and Kathleen was on the bottom of a pile of players near center court after the crowd ran out to congratulate the team. She suffered a ruptured disk in her back.

Former male cheerleader, Pat Riley, and his sidekick Fred Campbell, who is battling prostrate cancer, were the Patroons only two male cheerleaders. They helped to lead the Patroons' crowds to cheering the team on to many victories and several CBA championships. The two will be donning their cheerleading outfits this Sunday to bring their crazy and zany antics back to the Patroons loyal fans.

(Side note: Fred is the brother of Albany County Sheriff Jim Campbell).

"When Kathleen came to my house to ask if I would suit up again and cheer on Sunday to raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness, I immediately said yes this time," notes Riley, who had been asked by Kathleen before to come back as a Patroon cheerleader to get the crowds going. "My wife (Paula..former Patroons cheerleading coach) and I have know Kathleen for years and she used to live in our neighborhood and served as our first Neighborhood Association President. She is a true leader and a person that is hard to say 'no' to."

Riley then called Campbell who jumped right on board and was willing to disclose his battle with cancer as well.

"When you can bring peoples' battles with cancer to life with people you are connected to, or know well, it makes the battle all so much more real and you learn so much," says Riley. "Kathleen and Fred are two very special people and are battling their cancer with a sense of humor and positive attitudes that will help them win their battle."

In addition, Kathleen ask that we raise funds for bone marrow cancer research, which led to the death of former Patroon Coach Bill Musselman at age 59 in May 2000. Coach Musselman led the Patroons to 4 CBA Championships before heading to the NBA. Kathleen wants to steal a line from former Patroon and NBA player Scottie Pippen for Sunday's game...."Win to Him."

Not only will the Patroon Dancers get some help on Sunday with Riley and Campbell, but Kathleen purchased green spirit towels with "GO PATS" in gold on it to sell for $5.

But the biggest highlight is from Pat Riley. He obtained a signed Carmelo "Melo" Kyan Anthony Denver Nuggets Jersey from its coach and former Patroon Coach, George Karl. Raffle tickets will be $5 for one, $10 for three, $20 for 7, and $50 for an arm's length.

Anthony helped to bring Syracuse University's first NCAA win in 2003, and was named that year's NCAA MVP. He then went on to play basketball in the 2004 Olympic Games on Team USA. The 6' 8" player entered the NBA draft in 2003 after playing only one year for Syracuse. He was the #3 NBA Draft pick by the Denver Nuggets just behind Darko Milicic and of course, LeBron James.

Several sports writers have predicted that due to Anthony's charisma and magnetic personality that he, and not LeBron, would be the future of the NBA.

Kathleen has reserved all 99 seats in section A-1, Areas 41-49, the bleacher section nearby her court seats. To get a ticket in the "Hats on for Kathleen Ryan" section, please call the Box Office at 694-7160 Ext. 26. Tickets are $10.

BREAST CANCER FACTS:

Breast cancer impacts nearly 250,000 new patients a year in the United States.

Approximately every 3 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately every 12 minutes breast cancer claims another life

86 % of women who were diagnosed with breast cancer 5 years ago are still alive

Of those diagnosed 10 years ago, 77 % are still living

The survival rate of women diagnosed 20 years ago is 52%

The number of men getting breast cancer is on a rise



Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from February 16, 2007


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