“Tasha Butts Day” celebrates late basketball star, new breast cancer screening initiative

The Kay Yow Cancer Fund donated $50,00 to Atrium Health Navicent, which will help support a mobile mammography program for uninsured women across Middle Georgia.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Family, friends, and former teammates of Tasha Butts gathered to honor the life and legacy of the late Baldwin High School standout basketball player.

After high school, Butts played at the University of Tennessee, before a three-year professional career in the WNBA. Butts was set to begin her first year of head coaching at Georgetown University before she died in October 2023 after a battle with breast cancer.

“To see the love that was shown to her today was truly a blessing,” said Evelyn Butts, Tasha’s mother. “As a mother, as her family, we truly appreciate it.”

Evelyn and other members of the Butts family were on hand as the city of Milledgeville presented a proclamation naming October 18, 2024, as “Tasha Butts Day.” Later in the ceremony, Atrium Health Navicent received a $50,000 grant from the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

Jenny Palmateer, CEO of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, says the money will help women across Middle Georgia receive screenings and increases the odds of early detection.

“When it comes to cancer, screening and early detection is key,” said Palmateer. “So, everybody should have access to that.”

Since 2007, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund has awarded over $8.7 million dollars in grants for cancer research through sports. Palmateer says the foundation’s donation to Atrium Health Navicent will help support a mobile mammography program for uninsured women across Middle Georgia.

“This grant will enable people in Milledgeville and throughout Middle Georgia, to be able to gain the valuable access that they need to be able to take part in proactive and preventive care, and literally could help save lives,” Palmateer said. 

Evelyn Butts says the best way to honor her daughter’s legacy is by spreading awareness and helping others fight off the disease.

“If you knew Tasha, she was one of those hard workers that was all for fighting and wanting everybody to know,” Butts said. “So, she would have wanted everybody to keep grinding.”