Swimming and Diving to Support Jayhawks for a Cure, Oct. 24

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas swimming and diving will join Kansas Athletics’ awareness and charitable giving campaign by declaring the second day of its dual meet with Denver and Missouri State (Oct. 23-24) the squad’s Jayhawks for a Cure meet. Kansas student-athletes will don pink swim caps, fans will be presented with pink poms at the door, and all will have a chance to pay tribute to cancer survivors, those currently fighting, or those lost with a personalized swim flag.

All Kansas swimming and diving home events are free and open to the public, but voluntary donations to Jayhawks for a Cure will be collected at the promotions table in the Robinson Natatorium lobby. Proceeds will be donated, along with the annual contributions from other Kansas teams, to Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the KU Cancer Center. Last year, Kansas supporters and student-athletes contributed more than $40,000 through Jayhawks for a Cure.

“Unfortunately, we all have stories of how cancer has affected those closest to us or have friends whose lives have been disrupted by cancer,” Kansas head coach Clark Campbell said. “This is a great opportunity for our team and fans of our team to stand up beside them in some small way and say we’re with you and want to help.”

A string of swim flags will be displayed inside Robinson Natatorium, with customized cards declaring “Today I swim for…”, “Today I dive for…”, “Today I coach for…”, and “Today I work for…” – personal tributes to loved ones or friends who have been affected by any form of cancer. The swim flags will be made available to opposing teams, staff working the meet and fans in attendance, and strung together for display, uniting all in awareness and support.  

The swimming and diving event coincides with a national challenge between 10 swimming and diving programs – Duke, UCLA, Texas A&M, Utah, Notre Dame, Boston College, Florida State, Ohio State, Kansas, and Tennessee – which are all hosting meets to raise awareness and independently collect funds to distribute to cancer-fighting charities of their choice.

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