On Monday, November 17, 2009 Geno's Cancer Team and The Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) announced their partnership to challenge the next generation to join in the fight against cancer. Coach Auriemma had three simple words for those in attendance:

REMEMBER, CELEBRATE, BELIEVE

"Remember the past and those who have come before you,whether they are still here or no longer with you. Celebrate today and what you have going on and believe in the future you are going to help to shape and define."

Assembled at the press conference were elementary school children who cut their hair to make wigs for chemotherapy patients, high school field hockey players who held "Play for a Cure" games throughout the state middle school kids who filled shoe boxes with supplies for their peers. Coach Auriemma's message to all: you are never to young to begin to give back.