A Closer Look: KD 6 ‘Aunt Pearl’

Kevin Durant was inseparable with his late Aunt Pearl...
March 12, 2014

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Kevin Durant was inseparable with his late Aunt Pearl who passed away from lung cancer in 2000. His bond with her began at a young age and he loved spending time with his aunt watching movies, joking and laughing at his grandma’s house in Capitol Heights, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C.

Aunt Pearl had a unique ability to reach the sometimes shy Durant as a kid. Her memory lives on as KD keeps her spirit alive.

“I made a promise to myself to always honor my Aunt Pearl for the example she set, and the encouragement she gave me to follow my dreams,” said Durant.

The KD VI Aunt Pearl pays tribute to KD’s aunt with a pink floral pattern on the upper and highlights of blue with subtle pearls. The floral motif on the shoe is similar to the pattern on a robe that Aunt Pearl often wore.

Adorned with a Kay Yow Cancer Fund logo on the tongue, the special edition shoe raises awareness in the battle against women’s cancers. Proceeds from the shoe will go to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund that was founded in 2007 and an organization in which Nike is a founding partner.

Founded by former North Carolina State University head women’s basketball Coach Kay Yow, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund is committed to finding an answer in the fight against women’s cancers through supporting research programs and related projects. One recent project includes a $100,000 grant awarded to the Tulane Cancer Center, in support of Women’s Lung Cancer research. Coach Yow believed strongly that coaches and athletes share not only a community, but should also share in a cause much larger than any game.

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ABOUT THE KAY YOW CANCER FUND: The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on December 3, 2007 from the vision of the organization’s namesake Kay Yow, former NC State University head women’s basketball coach. Coach Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease on January 24, 2009. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women’s cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved, and unifying people for a common cause. To date, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund has supported over $2.83 million in women’s cancer research and related programs focused on women’s cancers, with an additional $1 million grant being announced in mid-February. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund or to make a donation, please visit www.KayYow.com.

SOURCE: VANCOUVER BASKETBALL