As a direct result of fundraising efforts of The Big West through the Tough Like Tammy campaign and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, $50,000 has been directly invested into Southern California. The MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center will be using these funds in the current fiscal year to assist under-resourced cancer patients in communities served by Big West institutions. 

The focal point of this assistance is providing much needed transportation to and from treatment. Southern California’s transportation system is deeply car dependent, making regular and timely access to facilities and doctor’s appointments a valuable and vital part of successful treatment plans. The grant money is already flowing through Todd Cancer Pavilion and providing help and access, making an impact where it is needed most. 

"We are deeply grateful for this grant and the opportunity to help remove a significant barrier to cancer care—transportation," said Lisa Poormon, Executive Director of Clinical Institute – Oncology at MemorialCare. "As the cost of transportation continues to rise, many patients face difficult decisions that can impact their ability to receive treatment. This support will help ensure that women undergoing cancer care can travel to and from appointments safely and reliably, allowing them to focus on what matters most: their health and recovery." 

Importantly, the Long Beach Medical Center serves people in the footprint of more than half of The Big West member institutions, making the lifesaving grant unlocked by the fundraising efforts of the conference over the past two seasons have a meaningful impact in the communities that actively organized to not only bring awareness through the Tough Like Tammy campaign, but turn it into action. 

"As someone living with stage 4 cancer, I know that time is the most precious commodity we have,” noted Big West campaign namesake and women's basketball analyst Tammy Blackburn. “When we give as a community, our collective generosity transforms into a profound gift: the gift of time, assistance and hope. Hope that the next medical breakthrough can rewrite a prognosis, change the trajectory of care, and ultimately save lives like mine." 

The MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center is a leading center for adult cancer care, offering advanced treatments in breast, gynecologic, gastrointestinal, thoracic, and other cancers. Patients benefit from state-of-the-art technology, minimally invasive surgery, radiation therapy, genetic counseling, and access to clinical trials. 

Cancer care at the Todd Cancer Institute goes beyond medicine. The psychosocial programs, which are free to the community, address the mind, body, and spirit through support groups, peer mentoring, yoga, art therapy, and mind-body oncology coaching.  

This grant through the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in conjunction with The Big West and the Tough Like Tammy campaign will allow the Todd Cancer Institute to continue their important work while continuing to break down barriers to care in the community they serve, making them a perfect grant recipient.  

"At the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, we believe that where a woman lives or the resources she has should never determine her ability to access lifesaving cancer care," said Jenny Palmateer, CEO of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. "This grant demonstrates the power of communities coming together through sport to create meaningful change. Thanks to the dedication of The Big West, its member institutions, student-athletes, coaches, and fans through the Tough Like Tammy campaign, women in Southern California will have greater access to the treatments they need. We are proud to invest in the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute's efforts to remove transportation barriers and ensure more patients can access the care they need, when they need it most." 

To date, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund has invested over $11 million through grants reaching communities across 26 states. On the research side, KYCF has helped support 20 research teams that have published more than 3,300 studies which have been cited over 140,000 times. Those studies have gone on to secure more than $520 million in additional funding, take part in 59 clinical trials, and help move 19 new ideas closer to real treatments.