The cancer treatment foundation ‘The Gift of Life’ attended almost 20 games during the 2017/2018 Alexela Basketball Champions League season that came to an end recently, during which volunteers collected donations and ran charity auctions. A total of close to €7500 was raised in support of cancer patients during games in Tallinn, Tartu, Rapla, Pärnu and Valga.
Last week the foundation’s director Toivo Tänavsuu and Estonian Basketball Association chief secretary Keio Kuhi agreed to continue their cooperation when the new league season begins in autumn.
“The association and all of our clubs are really pleased that we’re able to support the activities of the foundation,” said Kuhi. “It’s the kind of cooperation we’re happy to carry on with.
The most important aspect of it is raising people’s awareness, as well as highlighting the need to fund patients’ treatment and shining the spotlight on what the foundation’s managed to do so far to help people.”
For his part, Tänavsuu thanked everyone for their contributions. “We’re truly grateful to the association, the clubs, the players who donated stuff for the fan auctions, the MCs at the games, Fifaa for supplying us with valuable basketball souvenirs in the shape of shirts and balls, all the volunteers who helped us at the games and of course everyone who donated,” he said. “Your support and your warmth and your encouragement were there for all to see. The teams battled it out all season long on the courts, just as the patients battled on at home and in hospital. Together we managed to give someone hope and the chance to carry on living.”