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Each colored ribbon represents a different cancer that has possibly affected your life
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Oct. 3, 2012
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - When the Fighting Illini welcome the Michigan State Spartans on Oct. 4, both squads will dedicate the match to cancer awareness.
All fans will receive a colored ribbon to wear during the game. The different colored ribbons each represent a different cancer which has affected your life in any way. Illinois personnel will each individually wear what specific cancer has affected their lives:
Lavender- all cancers
Pink - breast
Orange - leukemia, kidney
Yellow - bladder
White - lung
Purple - pancreatic
Black - melanoma
Teal - cervical
Gold - childhood cancer
In addition, before the game, a special balloon releasing ceremony will occur in honor of those lives lost to cancer. Michigan State will release gold balloons, while the Illinois players, trainers and coaching staff will have their designated colored balloons to let go.
During the game, the Orange and Blue will acknowledge Penny McKinney, who lost the fight to cancer on Sept. 6 of this year at the age of 57. Penny is survived by her husband Don and sons Joey and Johnny. Penny worked in the Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics for over 40 years.
Kickoff is officially slated for 7:05 p.m. CT with the gates opening one hour prior. The game will also air live on the Big Ten Network.
