More than a Pink Jersey

Helping Women Now is so much more than turning a product pink for a day or month. NBCF supporters use pink to celebrate how their talents and passions are making a real difference in the lives of women facing breast cancer. With their help, we provide early detection, education and support services to women across the country.

On February 6, 2016, we partnered with the NBA D-League Texas Legends for our second annual #LegendsPinkNight. Like last year, the players, dancers and fans donned pink, and we honored survivors at center court during halftime. NBCF CEO & Co-founder Janelle Hail, a 36-year breast cancer survivor, shared the encouraging news that there are 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today.

However, this year’s event held special meaning for one Legends player, forward Jamil Wilson. “Millie”, as his teammates call him, played in memory of his mother, Carolyn, who died of complications related to breast cancer when he was a teen. We spoke with him two days before Legends Pink Night, and he shared how his mom is always with their family in spirit. He sees her presence in the way his younger sister, Jazmin, looks just like her, or the way his older sister, Kamisha, is raising her own young son.

Jamil played an outstanding game Saturday night, with his older sister, visiting from Wisconsin, in attendance. He contributed 25 points and
10 rebounds to the Legends’ 108-107 victory over the Austin Spurs. He has accomplished many impressive basketball feats—including an Elite Eight appearance during his collegiate career—but we think his mom would be most proud of the way he remembers the important lessons she taught him, including the message that it is better to give than receive.

Thank you to Jamil and all of the Texas Legends staff, coaches, players, dancers and fans for helping us celebrate the survivors and remember the moms, sisters, daughters, aunts, and grandmas who are no longer here to cheer on their loved ones in person.