Celebrate cancer survivors at Ladies Night Out

Participants at the first Ladies Night Out last February at the UIC Pavilion. This year’s event includes the women’s basketball game, reception and halftime celebration honoring breast cancer survivors. Photo: Timothy Nguyen

Celebrate the strength of breast cancer survivors and cheer on the women’s basketball team Feb. 11 at the second annual Ladies Night Out at the UIC Pavilion. 

A community event, sponsored by the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Women’s Community Relations Committee, will include a reception, game and special halftime celebration featuring breast cancer survivors.

The event is open to all students, employees, community members and cancer survivors affiliated with UI Health.

“I think this event makes a statement that we care about each other,” said Susan Powers, event co-host and volunteer for community relations in the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Women. “It’s a great platform to pull all these areas together and acknowledge the survivors from our community.”

Tickets, which cost $10, include snacks, beverages, pizza, giveaways, raffle entry and a shuttle.

The shuttle will pick up participants at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the hospital and Student Center West and drop them off at the UIC Pavilion, then return after the game.

The reception takes place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the Flames match versus the Detroit Titans starts at 7 pm.

The event began last year when Tanya McGowan, senior associate athletic director and a breast cancer survivor herself, wanted to bring together cancer survivors and women’s athletics.

Powers “piggybacked” on the idea and together they created Ladies Night Out, along with other supporters like the UI Cancer Center and Mile SquareHealth Center.

“It’s twofold — next to bringing breast cancer support and awareness, we really need to support women’s athletics,” Powers said.

“The team is doing great and I believe if people would attend a women’s game, they would be amazed at how much fun it is.”

The night will also offer a good opportunity to network, she said.

Purchase tickets through the UIC Ticket Office at 312-413-UIC1 or uictix2@gmail.com.  

Breast cancer survivors who would like to participate in the halftime event can contact Powers at 312-996-5761 or supowers@uic.edu.