Hoops Havoc Tonight: NM Lawmakers Revive Basketball Rivalry to Benefit UNM Cancer Center

Members of the New Mexico Senate and House of Representatives will “hit the hardwood” tonight, in the much-anticipated 2010 Annual Legislative Basketball Game. With the game billed as “Hoops 4 Hope,” players on the House team will be wearing New Mexico State University “Aggies” white home-team jerseys and the Senators will be suited up in the University of New Mexico “Lobos” cherry red away-team jerseys.

All proceeds from the event will go to the University of New Mexico Cancer Center, the State of New Mexico’s official cancer center based on the UNM campus in Albuquerque, which has a statewide cancer care network with outreach clinics in Las Cruces, Santa Fe and Farmington.

The Legislative Basketball Game allows New Mexico’s state Representatives and Senators the opportunity to leave policymaking in the Roundhouse and play basketball for a good cause. Due to the tremendous popularity of this event, the 2010 Annual Legislative Basketball Game will take place at a new location. On Friday, January 29, the game will be held at the St. Michael's High School gym, 100 Siringo Road, in Santa Fe. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Tickets cost $5.00 per person and may be purchased in advance by calling (505) 272-6744 or at the door the evening of the game.

“The UNM Cancer Center is thrilled to be the sponsor and recipient of the proceeds from the basketball game,” said Dr. Cheryl Willman, director and chief executive officer of the UNM Cancer Center in a statement released about the game. “Cancer is one of the leading causes of death for New Mexicans, second only to heart disease. In fact, based on a recent study, one in five people die annually from cancer in the state.” More than 8,800 New Mexicans will experience a life altering cancer diagnosis this year, according to statistics from The New Mexico Tumor Registry, housed at UNM Cancer Center.

A wood stove will be raffled off during the basketball game. The stove was refurbished and donated by Pete Bushman, a former patient at the UNM Cancer Center. Bushman, who lives in Espanola, was diagnosed with melanoma by his physician about two years ago and was referred to the UNM Cancer Center, which “saved my life,” said Bushman. He has donated the wood stove in gratitude for the treatment he received. The proceeds from the raffle will go to the UNM Cancer Center, and raffle tickets will be available at the game.