TOPSHAM — High schools from all over Maine are teaming up with the American Cancer Society to host Coaches vs. Cancer games for the upcoming winter and spring sports seasons. Currently, there are 43 schools that have chosen to participate in the program.

Throughout the fall sports season Coaches vs. Cancer hit the ground running in Maine and many area schools hosted events. According to Susan Robbins, athletic director for Yarmouth High School, “Our students were actively involved and service programs are a very important part of the athletic program at Yarmouth High School. We feel strongly that students learn life lessons through programs that are service related or raise funds for certain initiatives.”

Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that empowers athletic coaches, their teams and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. Although this program initially began with basketball coaches, it is now open to any athletic teams that wish to become involved. Coaches vs. Cancer provides the opportunity to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living among students, faculty, school staff, fans and the community at large, while raising funds in support of the society’s lifesaving efforts.

“The American Cancer Society is an organization that our student athletes actively pursue as many of us are affected by cancer in some way,” said Robbins. “During the awareness games this fall, each team chose to recognize ‘the fight’ in their own way. Whether it was wearing pink, or presenting cancer survivors with a rose during pregame, a lot of thought and effort was put into raising awareness of cancer in our community. We are very proud to have been able to help the American Cancer Society.”

High school athletic programs that would like to join the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative should contact Erika Gould, youth initiative coordinator for the American Cancer Society, at 373-3728 or email to [email protected].