Kay Yow Cancer Fund Awards $250,000 Grant to Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, FL (April 4, 2025) – For the 17th consecutive year, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund is proud to award a grant on behalf of coaches, players, officials and fans nationwide in the host city of the Women’s Basketball Final Four.
This year, a $250,000 grant will be awarded to Moffitt Cancer Center to support cancer research, prevention, and outreach programs aimed at reducing disparities in access to screenings, diagnosis, and treatment. By bringing education and screening directly to patients and targeting outreach to underserved communities, Moffitt seeks to eliminate barriers—such as socioeconomic challenges, lack of health insurance, and limited healthcare resources—that prevent high-risk individuals from receiving recommended care.
The impact of this grant extends beyond funding, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing research and expanding access to life-saving care. “Our proposal required input from a diverse group of investigators,” said Dr. Erin George, a Gynecologic Oncologist and physician-scientist at Moffitt Cancer Center. “Support from the Kay Yow Cancer Fund is invaluable in driving this collaborative effort forward to develop potentially practice-changing treatment approaches for the management of ovarian cancer. We deeply appreciate this support and look forward to sharing the outcomes of our team’s efforts.”
Through this partnership, Moffitt’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement will facilitate multiple events offering screenings for various types of cancer, helping to reduce barriers to early detection and ultimately improving health outcomes.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund for their generous support in expanding access to life-saving cancer screenings in our community,” said Dr. Vani Simmons of Moffitt Cancer Center. “With this support, the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement will facilitate multiple events offering screenings for multiple types of cancer at each event, helping to reduce barriers to early detection and ultimately improving health outcomes. Partnerships like this are critical in our mission to promote health for all.”
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund remains committed to uniting the sports community in the fight against all cancers affecting women. “We are proud and honored to stand alongside an institution that is so deeply committed to advancing research and expanding access to care for underserved communities”, said Jenny Palmateer, CEO of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. “Together, we are lifting others up, driving impact, and creating hope where it’s needed most.”
Special thanks to the women’s basketball community for making this grant possible.
We are louder, stronger, and unstoppable together.
About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on December 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization’s namesake, Kay Yow, former NC State University head women’s basketball coach. Coach Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease on January 24, 2009. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to raising money for life-saving cancer research, underserved programs that provide access to quality cancer healthcare, and unite people in the fight against all cancers affecting women. To date, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund has awarded $8.78 million in the fight against all cancers affecting women. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, please visit KayYow.com.
About Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 57 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education. Moffitt’s expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, its highest distinction. For more information, call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488), visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the momentum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Kay Yow Cancer Fund Contact
Kris Bowen // kris.bowen@kayyow.com