BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo athletic department, in conjunction with the Bulls' wrestling program, are moving forward with its second annual Takedown Cancer event which will culminate in the Bulls facing rival Northern Illinois this Sunday, February 20 at 1 pm at Alumni Arena.

Last year's event exceeded all expectations by raising over $35,000 for former Bulls wrestler Jeff Parker, who was battling cancer, as well as Carly's Club in Buffalo, the pediatric cancer unit of Roswell Park. Parker, who hailed from Foxborough, MA, was a UB captain, vice-president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at UB and a scholar-athlete who won over 70 matches for the Bulls. He lost his courageous battle to cancer on May 22, 2010 at the age of 25.

Sales are already underway for three major fundraising initiatives for this year's event: a New Era 5950 hat that honors the memory of Parker, raffle tickets that sell for $10 each and feature a grand prize of a 58" television set, and pledge forms that will allow people to donate for the number of takedowns the Bulls will compile in the match against Northern Illinois are all available at a website devoted to the event that can be found at:
BuffaloBulls.com/takedowncancer

In addition, the Parker 5950 hats and the raffle tickets will be on sale in Alumni Arena at both the UB Ticket Office and the Recreation and Intramurals Office (Room 130) during regular business hours. Cash and checks will be accepted at both locations.

Jill Kelly, wife of hall of fame quarterback Jim Kelly, will also be on hand to sign her book "Without a Word" from noon to 1pm.

The day of the event will feature a huge raffle with numerous autographed items from the world of sports as well as numerous gift certificates and prizes from local vendors as well as long-sleeve t shirts commemorating the second annual event.

"Last year's event went above and beyond my wildest expectations and showed us again how caring and giving Western New York and the wrestling community is," said UB head coach Jim Beichner. "With Jeff's tragic passing in the past year, our resolve is even greater to make this event bigger and better and raise even more to assist cancer research and make a difference in both the Buffalo and Boston communities. We hope that wrestling and non-wrestling fans alike will join us on Feb. 20 to salute Jeff's life and help us in our quest to Takedown Cancer for good."

Recently, the New York State Collegiate Coaches Association agreed to expand the Takedown Cancer fundraising initiative to every school in the state, helping take Parker's legacy a step further.

"They (the NYSCCA) all jumped aboard so now we have 23 more schools in New York doing this event, and we're going to come together this year and see how much money we were able to raise," Beichner added. "We also want to take it nationally. We would love to have 300-plus wrestling programs at the collegiate level doing a Takedown Cancer event."

Background Information

Takedown Cancer was an idea that originated from former UB wrestling captains Joe Muscarella ('93) and Mickey Moran ('09). The concept came from their desire to raise money for the fight against cancer, and in particular, fellow friend and UB wrestling captain Jeff Parker ('08), who was battling skin cancer that was first identified in the Spring of 2009.  

The initial goal for Takedown Cancer was to raise $10,000 to support cancer research in Buffalo and in Parker's hometown of Boston, Mass.   Not surprisingly, the UB family raised more than triple the original goal and donated $35,000 to combat cancer.  

While the UB wrestling family lost Jeff Parker in the Spring of 2010, his spirit lives on. Takedown Cancer has now been adopted by all member schools in the New York State Collegiate Wrestling Association. The goal is now to see Takedown Cancer adopted by all collegiate wrestling programs nationwide so we can Takedown Cancer once and for all. 

2011 Takedown Cancer Event

The Second Annual Takedown Cancer event will be held this Sunday, February 20 during UB's final home dual (and MAC contest) vs. Northern Illinois.  

This year's fundraising activities include: 

1.) A raffle for the chance to win a 58"plasma HDTV, an iPad, and an Arnold Schwarzenegger autographed collector's item.

2.) Chinese auctions for items including, gift baskets, restaurant gift cards, Bills/Patriots tickets, Sabres tickets, signed NFL jerseys and memorabilia, and autographed Joe Nichols guitars.

3.) UB Wrestling hats designed to celebrate the life of Jeff Parker (image attached).  All proceeds benefit the Jeff Parker Foundation.

4.) Several other items, including tshirts and wristbands will be available as well.

On top of all of the fundraising activities, Jill Kelly, wife of Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly, will be hosting a book signing.  A New York Times Best Seller, Without a Word: How a Boy's Unspoken Love Changed Everything was inspired by Jim and Jill's late son Hunter, who suffered from Krabbe Leukodystrophies disease. Without a Word is a journey of finding life, joy and faith in the midst of suffering. Without a Word is about sacrifice, hope, suffering & indescribable joy.  It's a memoir of how a little boy's unspoken love... changed everything.  It's the Kelly Family story.  Jill recently just released two other books – Prayers of Hope for the Brokenhearted and Prayers for Those Who Grieve.  Kelly will be signing her books from noon until 1:00 p.m. in the Alumni Arena foyer. Without a Word: How a Boy's Unspoken Love Changed Everything is available in bookstores nationwide, copies available for sale at the event. 

The goal for this year is to surpass the $35,000 raised last year and move Takedown Cancer to the next level in supporting cancer research.