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Avon, Avon Lake Coaches Wearing Sneakers for Cancer Awareness

Tonight's game part of Coaches vs. Cancer efforts

In the United States, cancer affects millions each year. A key to survival and staying healthy is knowledge.

Sue Baker, the wife of  boys basketball coach Jim Baker's, knows this through her job at the American Cancer Society. So when an opportunity came for her husband to help raise awareness of the disease and how to help prevent it, the Bakers decided to take it.

When the Eagles and Avon Lake hit the court Tuesday night at Avon Lake High, Baker and his Avon Eagles staff, along with Shoreman coach Eric Smith and his staff, will wear sneakers instead of dress shoes with their usual game attire. 

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A collaborative effort of the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches and its Coaches vs. Cancer program, the idea behind wearing sneakers is to remind people there are steps they can take to reduce their risk of getting cancer. Fans are also asked to wear sneakers to the game to show their support.

A portion of the proceeds from the game will be donated to the American Cancer Society. participants will also be honored tonight.

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Coaches vs. Cancer evolved from a idea by Norm Stewart, former men's baskeball coach at the University of Missouri and a cancer survivor. Stewart started Coaches vs. Cancer by challenging fans to pledge a dollar amount for every three points made by his team during the season. From there, the NABC and the American Cancer Society got involved.

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