Ray Tanner, Chad Holbrook, Dawn Staley lead “Battle Kids Cancer with the Gamecocks”

COLUMBIA, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Some of the best known names in University of South Carolina sports are coming together to “Battle Kids Cancer with the Gamecocks,” a Nov. 8 luncheon benefiting pediatric cancer research.

“Both the baseball team and the women’s basketball team have reached out to childhood cancer patients. Coach Holbrook’s own son is a cancer survivor. And Coach McDonald is a cancer survivor who has worked with Curing Kids Cancer for many years.”

Special guests include:

Ray Tanner, athletic director
Chad Holbrook, head baseball coach
Dawn Staley, head women’s basketball coach
Michael Roth, All American pitcher
Bill McDonald, head golf coach

The luncheon, to be held at historic 701 Whaley from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., is presented by Curing Kids Cancer, a 501c3 nonprofit founded by USC graduate Clay Owen and his wife Grainne. The Owens founded the charity after losing their nine-year-old son Killian to leukemia in 2003. Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit pediatric cancer research at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital.

Tickets for the event, priced at $60, are available online at www.curingkidscancer.org. Sponsorships are also available.

“The Gamecock nation has a strong tradition of supporting brave kids fighting cancer,” said Grainne Owen, founder of Curing Kids Cancer. “Both the baseball team and the women’s basketball team have reached out to childhood cancer patients. Coach Holbrook’s own son is a cancer survivor. And Coach McDonald is a cancer survivor who has worked with Curing Kids Cancer for many years.”

“The proceeds from ’Battle Kids Cancer with the Gamecocks’ will help us fund new cures for pediatric cancer,” said Dr. Ron Neuberg, director of the Children's Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. “Cancer is the number one disease killer of children in the U.S. We are asking all Gamecock fans and anyone wanting to end this horrible disease to join us on Nov. 8.”

About Curing Kids’ Cancer: Curing Kids' Cancer was inspired by the life of nine-year-old Killian Owen, who lost his battle with leukemia in July 2003. Killian's parents, Clay and Grainne Owen, founded Curing Kids' Cancer in Killian's memory to raise money for cutting edge pediatric cancer research. Since the organization became an official charity in 2005, Curing Kids' Cancer has donated more than $2 million to childhood cancer research.