TO LIFE

Thanks to Coach Bruce Pearl, Auburn University’s basketball coach, the Tiger team is scoring multiple support points and raising some significant funds for the Joy to Life Foundation.

Auburn University’s basketball team is racking up wins and enjoying an exciting season in 2019 thanks in no small

part to the encouragement, guidance and skill-building of Head Coach Bruce Pearl. But

Pearl is leading off the court too, supporting folks all over in the quest for healthier lives and better outcomes when it

comes to cancer through the non-profit he founded, The Bruce Pearl Family Foundation, and its program, AUTLIVE Cancer. This year, AUTLIVE has partnered with The Joy to Life Foundation, making it a signature charity supported by the annual AUTLIVE basketball

game, and we asked Coach Pearl to share how and why.

What is the mission of the Bruce Pearl Family Foundation? The Bruce Pearl Family Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support to children and families facing challenging and life altering illnesses.

What is the purpose of the AUTLIVE Cancer program and what initially inspired the program? AUTLIVE raises the awareness of cancer prevention and detection while its t-shirt sales and donations raise money to benefit cancer patients and their local hospital. Proceeds benefit cancer patients and treatment centers at these locations: Coosa Valley, East Alabama Medical Center, Russell Medical Center, Children’s of Alabama, Montgomery Cancer Center, Smile-A-Mile the L5 Foundation in Knoxville, Tenn., and now the Joy to Life Foundation. The OUTLIVE program was started in 2009 during my time at Tennessee in recognition of former Vol Chris Lofton, who beat testicular cancer through early diagnosis and local treatment. He went on to play the entire 2007-08 season while battling the disease. Why did the Bruce Pearl Foundation and AUTLIVE Cancer choose to work with and support Joy to Life Foundation? The AUTLIVE program supports organizations and treatment centers who have cancer patients fighting locally in the state of Alabama. To even go and get a mammogram or breast cancer screening can be expensive, so if we can assist in providing funds for women to go do that, then it’s a good thing.

Why is early detection so important in the fight against cancer? The No. 1 way to beat cancer is to detect it early and be able to fight it on your home court. When Chris Lofton was diagnosed with cancer during my time at Tennessee, it thankfully was early enough to fight the disease. If it wasn’t for a random drug test though he may have never known that he had cancer.

DON’T DIG HOOPS? THERE’S A CHANCE TO SUPPORT THE BRUCE PEARL FOUNDATION ON THE GREEN IN MAY.

Why would you encourage people to attend the AUTLIVE events? AUTLIVE is not just about raising funds, it is a reminder for to people to go in to see your doctor and find out what tests are you supposed to have at your age given your gender to do the screenings for cancer. This is not for research; it’s for people that are battling cancer who need the help so that they can outlive cancer. By hosting the AUTLIVE events, we want to use our platform on a national broadcast versus our in-state rivals to tell that story and to remind fans to go out and get that screening done that you’ve been waiting on.

In what other ways can people help both foundations reach their goals? Spread the word and encourage your friends to go get that mammogram done. If you are not in a position to financially buy a t-shirt or donate, be a good friend, neighbor or family member and remind them to get the screenings done. THE AUTLIVE CANCER BASKETBALL GAME FEATURED THE

AUBURN TIGERS

FACING THEIR

PRIMARY RIVALS,

THE UNIVERSITY OF

ALABAMA’S CRIMSON TIDE. A HUGE CROWD OF FANS ATTENDED

THE EXCITING GAME, MEANING BIG FUNDS FOR THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION. AND A BIG WIN

FOR NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATIONS ALL

OVER ALABAMA.