John Calipari has joined in on the fundraising efforts to support Mike Pratt, the Kentucky radio color analyst who is battling cancer that first spread from his colon to liver.

Calipari on Monday announced that he and his wife, Ellen, would match the first $50,000 in donations, and added that Pratt is, “one of the best best we’ve ever known.”

Pratt was a second-team All-American basketball player in 1970, and finished his career with 1,359 points (still ranks among the top 25 UK scorers of all-time) and 718 rebounds. A two-time first-team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches (1969, 70), Prate was named an Academic All-American in 1970, according to UK Athletics.

Since 2002, Pratt has served as radio color analyst for UK men’s basketball games.

Here is a description of the fundraising efforts on Give Send Go:

“The battle between quality and quantity of life should never be this blurred…..

Mike’s cancer journey started in July of 2019 with a removal of a tumor in his colon. The next battle was a tumor in his liver. Up next, he had radiation to his jaw and his back. The cancer once again returned and this time has spread even further.

Through his three year journey, Mike has remained the color analyst for the University of Kentucky alongside the voice of the Wildcats, Tom Leach. Being a former player, his love for the University shines through in every broadcast. He has also kept up his Friday talk show with Bob Valvano and most recently his daily talk show with Dan Issel.

As of May 31, Mike will work to regain his health as his battle will become a true fight.

A diagnoses of pneumonia caught his body in a lowered state and the effects have made a tremendous set back in his journey. The chemo has left him tired, weak and most recently in a lot of pain.

After many prayers, his brother Pat and his wife Andrea said why not Hope4cancer?

Hope4cancer fights cancer in a new way. Hope4cancer’s comprehensive program includes a balance of integrative and alternative therapies. In this type of approach they use non-toxic cancer treatment and emotional therapies that are equal pillars of healing.

Hope4cancer will address the cancer on the physical, mental and spiritual planes.

Mike’s treatment begins on June 16.

Please consider a donation to Mike’s fight where care, compassion, faith and hope will ultimately prevail. Hope has bred change again and again because when there is hope, there is life (Anne Frank)

Thank you for having HOPE!!”