By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)
GreenBayPhoenix.com

GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Green Bay Director of Athletics Ken Bothof, in conjunction with Bellin Health and Broadway Automotive, announced Tuesday afternoon the creation of the Black Out Cancer Initiative, an effort centered around the Green Bay men's basketball game against Milwaukee on Feb. 4 that will help raise awareness of all types of cancers and generate funds for the Bellin Health Foundation.

The Black Out Cancer Initiative is an extension of a partnership between Bellin Health, Green Bay Athletics and Broadway Automotive. The Pink Zone Initiative and annual women's basketball Pink Zone game have raised over $55,000 for the Bellin Patient Assistance Fund over the past four years.

The Patient Assistance Fund at The Cancer TEAM at Bellin Health helps patients burdened by the financial side of cancer treatments, including providing patients with gas cards, grocery cards and other types of gift cards to help with the daily-living items.

The Black Out Cancer Game will highlight the new initiative, with the Phoenix hosting in-state rival Milwaukee at 1 p.m. at the Resch Center on Feb. 4. Head men's basketball coach Brian Wardle unveiled black jerseys that the Phoenix will wear for the contest. Wardle also announced that a number of the jerseys will be auctioned off to raise additional funds for the Patient Assistance Fund.

"I tell our players all the time that when much is given much is expected. We have a group of young men that have been very blessed with some great physical gifts and talents, and now they get a chance to play Division I basketball at a great institution," Wardle said. "With that comes expectations in our program of service to this community. We are honored to be a part of the Black Out Cancer Initiative and continue the partnership with Bellin Health and Broadway Automotive."

Donations will be accepted at the game through a Dash for Cash, and Broadway Automotive has announced that it will match all donations up to $2,500. For those unable to make it to the game, fans can get involved via Facebook by liking the Broadway Automotive page. For each new like through gameday, Broadway Automotive will donate $5 to the Patient Assistance Fund.

For more information regarding the Black Out Cancer Initiative, including links to the jersey auction, Broadway Automotive's Facebook page, the press conference video from Tuesday and ticket information, please visit GreenBayPhoenix.com/BlackOut.

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