For Farmington Basketball, Supporting American Cancer Society, Robin Roberts' Bee the Match Cause is a Slam Dunk

When Farmington plays Newington at home in February, the team will bring more to the court for their fans than a good game of basketball.

Coach Russell Crist and the team are partnering with the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer program.

Fans can partake in fundraising activities to raise money for the American Society and a portion of the proceeds will also benefit Robin Roberts' “Bee The Match” Foundation. The organization provides "bone marrow and umbilical cord blood transplants to patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases, according to a press release on Bee the Match's website. 

Roberts, a New York resident who also has a home in Farmington, had a bone marrow transplant "to treat myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a disease also known as pre-leukemia," the September release stated. The ABC Good Morning America Host is also a five-year breast cancer survivor, according to the ABC website. 

"This is something that has an effect on all of us and I am so happy to be in a position to give back," Crist said. "This is one of the most important things that we do all season."

John Kelly, booster club president, said that Roberts "has been a generous supporter of our program as well as an inspiration to the team over the years" and that "it feels good to give back."

“This is a fun night for families featuring several raffles, a bake sale, half-time entertainment and of course an exciting game hosted by our state championship team," Kelly said in a statement. "We have all been touched by cancer in one way or the other. The girls really take pride in this community event."

The game starts at 7 p.m. on Feb. 4 in Farmington.

For more information, you can contact John Kelly at jkelly5262@aol.com.