The orange arm bands you will see on Saturday are to

[Brad]

help increase awareness of Multiple Sclerosis.  Orange is the official awareness color of MS and the Bulls want to support a greater cause during their nationally televised game on ABC:

Courtesy USF

USF To Wrap MS Awareness Campaign Around Miami Gameday

TAMPA - The University of South Florida Athletics Department and football program will wrap a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Initiative around the Miami game this Saturday.

The subject of MS literally hits close to home for the USF football team.  Carol Canales, the wife of USF Offensive Coordinator Mike Canales, was diagnosed with MS last September and has been battling the disease since May of 2008.

As she told the St. Pete Times this morning, "Whether it's MS or any other disease," Carol said, "there are so many people who will have some symptoms and ignore them until it gets to the point where their options for being treated are limited."

Carol came to the USF Athletics Department, along with Coach Leavitt's wife, Jody, and asked if there was a game in 2009 that could help spotlight a disease that many people battle and unfortunately, far too many wait too long to have diagnosed.

"The goal is simply to bring awareness and hopefully this is a cause we can build support for on an annual basis," said Carol.

Mama C, as the football team calls Carol, is an avid marathon runner, who had to give up her passion over the last year and half as MS took a toll on her body.

Thanks to the diligent work of doctors and staff at both Tampa General Hospital and USF Health, Mama C has returned to running and is back up to four miles at a time.

In particular, Canales has working with USF Health's Dr. Stanly Krolczyk (pronounce kroll-check).  Krolczyk is a USF Health employee, who practices and works regularly at TGH.

Learn More About USF Health | Learn More about Dr. Krolczyk

Thanks to the connection between Canales and Krolczyk, USF Health is also supporting the MS Awareness Initiative on Saturday. USF Health will have donations box stationed at the TIKI HUTS inside the stadium and will provide information pamphlets to anyone that wants to learn more about the disease and the fight to find a cure.

The most recognizable piece of the campaign will be on the arms of USF football players. Numerous players will be wearing orange arm bands with personalized messages on Saturday afternoon.

Why wear orange in a game against Miami, who's official colors include green and orange?  Orange is the official awareness color of MS and the Bulls want to support a greater cause during their nationally televised game on ABC.

Below is a complete list of the awareness initiatives that will take part on Saturday

- Orange arm bands on USF football players

- USF Health donation stations at the Tiki Huts 

- USF Health pamphlets on MS and the search for a cure

- In game recognition of Carol Canales, Dr. Krolczyk and USF Health

[ajusf16]

thats respectabull

[BullMedic]

Thank you for the heads up. lol. I might have thought it would have been Gator fans or something

[Brad]

I thought there might be some surprised looks and wonderment over the orange arm bands on USF players...

[Bull Martin]

I thought there might be some surprised looks and wonderment over the orange arm bands on USF players...

Yeah, definitely.  Thanks for the heads up.  Now I'll be able to explain it to everyone around me.

[DELdaBull]

Makes a tough brother get all choked up.