NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State's fall #FORKCANCER week has a new hue this year.
 
The Northwestern State Athletics Department's once-a-semester fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society will turn the department teal to bring awareness to the fight against ovarian cancer.
 
"Even though the focus has changed, our mission remains the same – raising funds to help those affected by cancer," Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing Tori Thompson said. "We have members of our community that have been directly affect by ovarian cancer, and we are glad to be able to bring awareness to another form of cancer that affects women across the world. Ovarian cancer is the fifth-most common cause of cancer-related death in women in the United States and has caused more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. We are excited to be able to partner with other departments on campus and in the community to help us make this #FORKCANCER week a success."
 
Among the ways Northwestern State students and fans can participate in #FORKCANCER week activities and donate money to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society include purchasing $5 raffle tickets for a teal YETI 45 Tundra Cooler from NSU soccer or volleyball players or by going to www.NSUDemons.com/forkcanceryeti to make a donation and/or purchase a raffle ticket.  The winner of the cooler will be announced at halftime of Saturday's Homecoming football game against Central Arkansas.
 
Donation tables complete with teal buttons, stickers, ribbons and cups will be set up in the Student Union as well as at Friday's 7 p.m. and Sunday's 1 p.m. home soccer matches and Saturday's 11 a.m. home volleyball match.
 
Additionally, the department will sell a limited number of #FORKCANCER T-shirts will available for sale.
 
Student organizations and other university groups will team up with the athletic department to raise awareness for the battle with ovarian cancer. The 2019 NSU Homecoming Court also will wear #FORKCANCER shirts throughout Homecoming week events and will wear teal ribbons during Saturday's Homecoming festivities.
 
Northwestern State's football team will wear teal ribbon decals on their helmets during Saturday's game.
 
#FORKCANCER week is part of a busy Homecoming schedule that also includes Saturday's 10 a.m. N-Club Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Magale Recital Hall.
 
The seven-member Hall of Fame Class of 2019 includes football standouts Mike Green and Kenny Wright, current men's basketball coach Mike McConathy and basketball sharpshooter Wayne Waggoner, soccer standout Missy Payne Howe, women's basketball star Judy Clark and Distinguished Service Award honoree Skeeter Salim.  The induction ceremony is open to the public and is free of charge to attend.