MALIBU, Calif. – The Pepperdine women’s basketball team will participate in “Light the Night,” a two-mile walk through Woodland Hills for cancer awareness, on Sunday at 6 p.m. The event will begin at the Woodland Hills Marriott Hotel.

 

The Waves’ team organized the event in an effort to promote cancer awareness and fundraise for the cause. The project came about when assistant coach Shelly Sheetz’ mother was diagnosed with cancer last spring.

 

“The girls really wanted to do something to support my mom,” said Sheetz “this means so much to her.”

 

Cancer survivors will lead the walk dressed in special t-shirts recognizing them as “survivors.” Friends, family and supporters will follow behind in a different color shirt promoting the cause. All the participants will carry balloons.

 

“We’re expecting lots of people to attend. This disease has touched so many people,” Sheetz said.

 

Tents will be set up along the route and local restaurants have donated snacks for the walkers. An American Idol participant is scheduled to sing at some point.

 

This event is just one of many causes the Waves’ women’s hoops have adopted. The team is involved with PATH (People feeding the Homeless) as well as sponsoring a tournament called Time Out 4 HIV/AIDS which will take place Nov.23-24 in Firestone Field house at the Malibu campus. The goal for the second annual tournament is to continue to educate and raise money to fight HIV/AIDS through the sport of women’s basketball and the celebrity guests who will attend.

 

“It is important that we teach our athletes life lessons while they are with us. We want them to learn to serve their community and do it with a sense of joy, responsibility and compassion,” said Pepperdine’s Head Coach Julie Rousseau.

 

For further information on any of the above events, please contact Karen Costello in the Pepperdine University Sports Information Office at (310) 506-4160.