The University of New Mexico men’s and women’s basketball teams host the annual ‘Lobos Love Pink’ games to raise breast cancer awareness and to honor all those who face it. On Saturday, Feb. 10, the UNM women's basketball team tips off against Air Force at 2 p.m., and on Wednesday, Feb. 14, the men’s team faces Utah State at 7 p.m.

If fans wear pink, tickets are $5 for the women's game and $10 for the men's game. The discounted tickets will be available in bench rows 1 through 10 for both games.

For the first time, this year the UNM BeKind Team and Athletics are partnering to hold a teddy bear toss at both games. Bring a teddy bear to throw onto the arena floor. All toys collected will be donated to APD for officers to give to children going through tramatic situations.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 1,470 New Mexico women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis and 260 will die of the disease in 2018.

“Lobos Love Pink games are very important in helping us raise awareness in the community,” said Dr. Ursa Brown-Glaberman. Brown-Glaberman is a breast cancer specialist and co-leads the breast team at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center. “The key,” she says, “is to find the disease early when it is still curable.”

Dr. Stephanie Fine, breast surgical oncologist and a member of the UNM Cancer Center breast team, agrees. “Most women who have early-stage breast cancer don’t know it unless they get a screening mammogram,” Fine said. “You can’t feel it. You can’t see it. And it very often has no symptoms whatsoever.”

Fine will represent the faculty at the Lobo women’s game, while Brown-Glaberman will represent the UNM Cancer Center faculty at the Lobo men’s game The basketball teams and the UNM Cancer Center will honor breast cancer survivors during each of the games.

To purchase tickets in advance, call the Lobo Ticket Office at 505-925-LOBO or visit unmtickets.com.