Southern Illinois to wear jerseys with the names of cancer victims and survivors

Southern Illinois is honoring those affected by cancer by hosting a Black Out Cancer game this weekend against Western Illinois, but it’s doing so with a twist.

The Salukis will wear special black Under Armour jerseys for the contest and the names on the back will be those of cancer survivors or loved ones lost.

Southern Illinois held an auction and the 80 highest bidders won the right to have a name of their choosing on the back of the jersey. All money from the auction go toward raising funds for a comprehensive cancer center in Southern Illinois.

The auction winner with the highest bid, which happened to be $1,750, got the first choice of numbers and then each bidder got to pick until all 80 jerseys were filled with names.

The winners can pick up the game-worn jerseys right after the game or, if they want them laundered, the jerseys will be shipped.

This is probably the most unique in-game cancer tributes we’ve ever seen. Kudos to Southern Illinois for making it happen.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday

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