The Cheltenham Lady Panthers held their annual Alumni ‘Coaches vs. Cancer’ Basketball game on Saturday. (Submitted photos)
This year’s Cheltenham Lady Panthers Alumni ‘Coaches vs. Cancer’ Basketball Game was more than just an opportunity to reunite players from the program’s storied past for a spirited contest. It also provided a platform to honor Yolanda Roberts, a 10-year thyroid cancer survivor.
At halftime of Saturday’s contest, Misha Horsey (’07), who organized the event, presented a plaque designating Roberts the recipient of the Cheltenham Lady Panthers Alumnae Courage Award in recognition of her contribution in the fight against cancer.
Prior to being diagnosed with cancer, Roberts, the mother of four children and grandmother of five, had Trigeminal Neuralgia, also known as Tic Douloureaux (suicide disease) for over 20 years. While under the care of her neuro-maxi facial surgeon, she asked her doctor about a lump on her neck. In 2006, Roberts was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and her surgeons performed a total thyroidectomy. Following the surgery, Roberts was admitted to the hospital for confined radiation.
Today, Roberts shares her personal story, 
delivering heartfelt messages about early detection and taking responsibility for your own health. She encourages others to gain knowledge and awareness of this disease and has been involved in various cancer awareness events. Roberts is a living testament that through awareness and early detection, there is hope in the fight against cancer.
In addition to the alumni game, the event also included a girls’ youth clinic conducted by Lady Panther alums that included former collegiate players Rachel Laws (Binghamton University). Shayla Felder (Chestnut Hill College), Shanira Blake (Cheyney University), Antonia Gale (La Salle University), Brandi Butler-Mills (University of Richmond) and Lorraine Oliver (St. Francis PA). The clinic was followed by a Junior Panther basketball game.
Sponsors of the event included DJ G33K, ProBound Training, Ebony Lavone-Lav Society, Jimmy Davis Catering, Rodon Signs and Designs and T-House Inc. Vendors in attendance were KayInteriorz, Shoot Basketballs Not People, Traci Lynn Jewelry, ProBing Elite, ProSkills Trianing Camp, Jimmy Davis Catering and Alic Wootson (Author).
The event was highlighted on the CBS 3 news: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/video/3341091-day-of-basketball-in-cheltenham-for-good-cause/
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