MASSENA – The Massena Lady Raiders Basketball team will toss aside their traditional red and white jerseys and sport new purple and white décor during an educational awareness night and fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The night begins at 5:30 p.m. tonight with the Massena JV team taking on the Ogdensburg Blue Devils with the varsity contest to follow.

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. An estimated 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide) have CF.

In people with CF, a defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that: clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down food and absorb vital nutrients.

The Lady Raiders will be selling t-shirts, bracelets, pin ups, and raffles in order to raise funds to help find a cure for this life threatening disease.

They also will have displays and handouts available to help raise awareness. They Lady Raiders chose to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as one of their alumni battles CF on a daily basis.

“They have seen firsthand the challenges someone with this disease faces and wanted to show their support in helping to make CF stand for Cure Found,” a press release said.