The WNBA is deeply committed to WNBA CARES programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on promoting health and fitness, breast health awareness, reading and youth basketball programs. As we look forward to the 12th season of the WNBA, the league and its players continue to be recognized for their commitment to the community.
WNBA Cares Fact Sheet
WNBA CARES spots:
Recent WNBA CARES events:
Read to Achieve is a year-round, league-wide initiative supported by NBA, WNBA and NBA D-League teams that promotes the values of reading and on-line literacy and encourages families and adults to read regularly with young children. The program includes thousands of reading time-outs, the donation of books and literacy materials, and the creation of Reading and Learning Centers and Reading Corners throughout the world. 
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA believes that lessons learned on- and off-the-court as a member of a team are lessons that are infinitely useful in building relationships at school, home and work. By stressing fundamental skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship and positive adult participation, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA aims to develop a life-long passion for the game of basketball by providing a support structure that not only encourages participation, but also makes the game fun and rewarding for players, coaches, officials and parents.
The WNBA Breast Health Awareness program focuses on generating awareness and educating women about breast cancer in addition to raising funds for the initiative.
More than $2 million was raised by the WNBA, its players and teams to help fight breast cancer through Breast Health Awareness program. Highlights include online auctions featuring games of HORSE with WNBA and NBA Stars, memorabilia and other autographed items.
The WNBA will embrace its responsibility as the preeminent women’s professional sports league with powerful role models to continue to deliver important messages and programs related to the areas of health, fitness, nutrition and self esteem.
WNBA Be Smart - Be Fit - Be Yourself will encourage teens and women of all ages to learn more about their bodies and the importance of physical fitness. Programming has been developed to encourage teens and women to get started on “being fit” through small changes in their daily regimen.
WNBA Cares has partnered with the United Nations Foundation on their new initiative, Nothing But Nets, a grassroots campaign asking individuals to donate $10 to "send a net, save a life."
Each $10 donation pays for an insecticide-treated bed net, distributes it to a family in need in Africa and provides education on proper use to prevent malaria. Please visit nothingbutnets.net to find out how you can send a net to save a life!
Follow along as San Antonio Silver Stars center Ruth Riley blogs about her travels to Africa with Nothing But Nets.
Choose Respect is an initiative designed to help adolescents form healthy relationships and to prevent dating abuse before it starts. This national campaign is designed to motivate adolescents to challenge harmful beliefs about dating abuse and take steps to form respectful relationships. The WNBA partners with the Centers for Disease Control on this worthwhile initiative.
Osteoporosis is a largely preventable and treatable disease, yet one in
two women and one in four men will break a bone due to osteoporosis in
their lifetime. As the nation's leading voluntary health organization
dedicated solely to osteoporosis and bone health, the National
Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) is working to prevent osteoporosis and
related fractures, promote lifelong bone health, help improve the lives
of those affected by osteoporosis and to find a cure through programs of
awareness, education, advocacy and research. The Step for Strong Bones is one such program. For more information, visit
www.nof.org.
