Established in 2013 by Alex and Tommy Gift in honor of their late mother, who passed away from breast cancer in 2010, the Gift Fund helps patients and their families enjoy life while facing a cancer diagnosis. For the past several years, the fund has provided Thanksgiving turkeys for patients at the UofL Brown Cancer Center.

To continue the tradition, the Gifts and former volleyball player Paige Sutton are sponsoring the tournament. Coed Quad Open Division play starts at 9 a.m. (check in at 8:15 a.m.). The Coed Sixes Division will start at about 2 p.m. (check in at 1:30 p.m.).��

Team registration fees of $300 go directly to the fund. A cash prize of $3,000 to be divided among winning and runner up teams has been donated by The Power Agency. To register a team or make a donation, go to the event’s .

Ward 426 on Baxter Ave., directly across the street from Baxter Jack’s, has once again agreed to donate a portion of all food and beverage sales throughout the day to the Gift Fund.

“Mary Jane taught us countless lessons throughout the course of her life. Stay Positive. Be thankful. Step away from it all,” Alex Gift said. “The fund can help do this by providing simple gifts to patients that could help improve their quality of life, even if it’s for a short period of time.”

The event has brought in more than $45,000 throughout six years.

In the Fall of 2016, there were a total of 1,033 student scholars on campus, including 244 from China and 173 from India.

During the week of Nov. 13-17, the university will celebrate International ����ֱ�� Week, recognizing the benefits of international education and exchange.

The joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of ����ֱ�� functions to “promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences in the U.S.” IEW was first held in 2000 and is now celebrated in more than 100 countries.

To mark the occasion, UofL will host a number of events, from a salsa night to a workshop to a Thanksgiving dinner. The full schedule is below:

• From Nov. 13-17, the International Center Exhibit will be displayed at Ekstrom Library, east side. It includes the history of the center.
• On Monday from 2-3 p.m., a Q&A session will be held to answer travel questions, hosted by the International Student and Scholar Services. It will include dessert, coffee, hot chocolate and raffle prizes.
• On Tuesday from 12:30-2:30 p.m., the International Luncheon will be held on the Health Sciences Campus, CTR Building, Room 124. This event is co-sponsored by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the ISSS.
• On Wednesday from 3-5 p.m., an Immigration Workshop covering current trends and outcomes will be held on Shumaker, Room 139. It is co-sponsored by J. Gregory Clare Law Offices and ISSS.
• On Thursday from noon to 1 p.m., the International Luncheon will be held in Bigelow Hall, Room 1316. This event is co-sponsored by the Dean of Students Office and the ISSS.
• Also Thursday, Salsa Night will be held at the Red Barn from 6-9 p.m. This event is hosted by the American International Relations Club.
• Finally, on Friday from 6:30-9:30 p.m., a Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at the Red Barn, hosted by the Organization Assisting and Serving International Students.

All events are free and open to students, faculty and staff.

According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, international students and their dependents contributed $36.9 billion go the U.S. economy during the 2016-17 academic year.��

For more information about International ����ֱ�� Week, .��

Also, save the date for the International Center’s Get Connected and Resource Fair, January 4 at noon at the Red Barn.

Alex and Tommy Gift lost their mother to a 20-plus-year battle with cancer in 2010. In her memory, they established the Mary Jane Gift Quality of Life Fund at the cancer center in 2013.

Cancer treatment can be costly and leave many families with little resources during the holidays. The fund helps patients and their families enjoy life while facing a cancer diagnosis.

On Wednesday, Nov. 23, the brothers will distribute turkeys to more than 100 patients at the cancer center in memory of their mother.��This will be the fourth annual turkey distribution sponsored by the Gift brothers.

“We experienced how cancer treatment can impact a family throughout my mother’s illness,” Alex said.��“Establishing this fund in her memory is our way of giving back to those who supported us and helping improve the lives of others battling cancer.”