The newest edition of the Monti Bear series is now available at West Virginia University Hospital’s Friends Gift Shop.

Hug-A-Bear sells for $38.99, and a portion of that price tag will be donated to the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Foundation at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center at WVU.

The cancer endowment is named for WVU basketball coach Bob Huggins’ mother, who passed away in 2003. The endowment supports basic and clinical research on colon cancer.

“My family thought this would be a way to not only honor my mother, but to also aid in cancer research and treatment,” Huggins said. “It is imperative that we find a cure for cancer.”

Pat Antion, manager of Friends Gift Shop; Tammy Whitacre, assistant director for development at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center; WVU Basketball Coach Bob Huggins; Beverly Martin, president of Friends of WVU Hospitals Auxillary Board

Hug-A-Bear, made by Gund, is the third in the Monti Bear series. He wears a coonskin hat, blue blazer and white t-shirt and holds a basketball. Turn his tail, and Hug-A-Bear plays “Country Roads.”

For information contact The Friends Gift Shop at 304-598-4133 or see http://www.health.wvu.edu/hospitals/gift-shop/index.aspx. Items can be purchased online at http://www.wvuhgift.com/.

-WVU-

Contact: Amy Johns, HSC News Service
304-293-7087, johnsa@wvuh.com