Welcome To The IDP+ presentation of Michele’s Breast Cancer Classic IDP Best Ball Fantasy Football Leagues!
Thanks so much for joining us in the fight against cancer! Gary VanDyke started this event in 2022 as a special tribute to his wife, Michele, who is a breast cancer survivor. Our goal is to raise awareness for all cancer patients and survivors, and even more so, to make sure everyone knows the struggle isn’t truly over even after treatment. The battle continues until we completely wipe out this disease, and frankly, it needs everyone’s support to be able to find a cure.
In 2025, cancer remains a major public health concern. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 2 million new cases and more than 618,000 deaths are expected in the U.S. this year. While overall mortality rates are declining, new diagnoses are on the rise for some cancer types, particularly among women and younger adults. Disparities also continue to persist across different populations, highlighting the need for ongoing research and awareness. Fortunately, advancements in treatment continue to emerge, bringing new therapies and approaches to the forefront of the fight.
Specifically, Breast Cancer remains the most common cancer among women in the U.S. (excluding skin cancers), accounting for about 30% of new female cancer cases. The American Cancer Society projects that in 2025, an estimated 316,950 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 42,170 are expected to die from the disease. This is a crucial reminder that the fight against this disease, and all cancers, is never over.
Join Today!
Like To Play IDP Best Ball For FREE Fantasy Prizes? Here’s How!
- Select from the top of the list first for the current league and the Sleeper App Invite Links.
- If the first draft is full, please refer to the list for the next available entry link that is still open for enrollment.
- We’ll update the league and “join” links as needed.
- Play as often as you like!
- Official Winners will be notified via Sleeper when winners are determined.
- After the July 3rd kickoff at 10 a.m. EST, every league draft afterward will begin approximately 24 hours after it’s filled.
Update: 4th of July Kickoff Event, 11.5 leagues filled in 6 days!
Thank You!
Open Enrollment Through August 10th, 2025, at 4:00 P.M. EST.
Current Leagues’ Draft Date/Time:
Approximately 24 Hours After the League Fills.
A. Open: FILLED
B. Open: FILLED
C. Open: ♥Join League!
(Updated July 15)
League Setup:
Starters: 11 (3 DB/3 DL/3 LB) – Bench: 11 – Total: 22
Best Ball
IDP
Snake Draft (8 hours)
3rd Round Reversal
Sleeper App
Scoring:
IDP TD: 6
Sack: 6
Hit on QB: 2
Tackle For Loss: 2
Blocked Punt, PAT or FG: 5
Interception: 3
Fumble Recovery: 3
Forced Fumble: 3
Safety: 3
Assisted Tackle: 0.75
Solo Tackle: 1.5
Pass Defended: 4
General:
Free To Play! (Mock Drafting Welcomed!)
Play As Often As You Like! (Please Share Socially!)
Prizes (Winners Will Be Contacted Via Sleeper.)
No Outlandish Or Vogler Language Tolerated!
Neither Gary nor Michele are prize eligible*
Fantasy Prizes Provided By…
Tactical Team Special Mentions: Bob Lung, Johnny The Greek, Axton Harding, Nathan Cheatham, Matt Record, Johnny Christofi, Justin Mark, James Knight, Shawn Teague, Ricky Rodrigue, Richard Latham, Avi Eisenberg, Steve Tomesin, Sebastian Fearon, and Derek Bennett.
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Prizes Include: 2026 Fantasy Football Expo Tickets, Big Guy Fantasy Football Guide, Subscriptions, & NFL Player Memorabilia. (One Prize Per Winner.)
Like To Do More To Fight Cancer? Fantasy Football
Playing fantasy football is a great way to raise awareness for Breast Cancer, but what if you want to do more? Don’t worry, we’ve got that covered! Here are a couple of ways you can help beyond just playing in our best ball league. Every donation makes a huge difference. Your gift will help support the fight to find a cure for cancer and will also provide better care and a better quality of life for those who are still suffering from the effects of treatment. And thank you very much for any support you might decide to give!
The Story Behind It All…
In April 2020, just as COVID-19 caused shutdowns across the U.S., Michele received a diagnosis of stage 3B breast cancer. Her treatment began swiftly, involving eight rounds of chemotherapy over 16 weeks, administered every other week under the challenging conditions of the pandemic. Following chemo, she underwent a mastectomy (removal of her right breast) in September 2020, a surgery performed to minimize the chance of the cancer returning. This was then followed by 25 rounds of radiation treatments. Her husband, Gary, was a constant presence, attending almost every appointment and treatment.
Throughout her journey, Michele endured excruciating and persistent pain at every turn. She is currently on a regimen of powerful, life-saving medications aimed at keeping her cancer-free. While these medications are a vital part of her ongoing care, her doctors have not yet given a final diagnosis confirming she is completely cancer-free.
Gary started reaching out to the community about these leagues for several reasons beyond the fear of losing his wife. He’s witnessed firsthand the difficult after-effects of cancer treatment. While treatments can extend and save many lives, not all patients fully recover without facing new challenges.
Like Michele, many survivors experience a reduced quality of life due to what they’ve endured to beat cancer. Besides constant, unbearable migraines and terrible pain, Michele nearly lost her life to a heart condition, which required a surgically inserted defibrillator. It seems hardly a month goes by without a new health issue appearing. Gary wants people to understand that surviving cancer isn’t always “cookies and cream” afterwards. He believes in finding a true cure, not just treatments that prolong the disease and, in many cases, leave patients in agony.
The Message…
Gary launched the original Michele Breast Cancer Classic in 2022 after spending a year thinking about his wife’s ongoing suffering. He witnessed firsthand the long-term effects of her treatment and the constant medications she must take just to stay alive. Although Michele enjoys life to the fullest extent possible, Gary doesn’t believe survival should come at the cost of a diminished quality of life. This is why he asks everyone to not only play and win prizes but, more importantly, to help spread the word that cancer is still taking our loved ones. Let’s stand together and change that!
Like To Learn More About Breast Cancer?
- New Invasive Cases: 316,950 women in the US are projected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2025.
- DCIS Cases: An additional 59,080 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a non-invasive form of breast cancer, are expected.
- Breast Cancer Deaths: The American Cancer Society estimates that 42,170 women will die from breast cancer in 2025.
- Men and Breast Cancer: An estimated 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the US in 2025, with 510 deaths.
- Rising Rates in Younger Women: Breast cancer incidence is increasing in women under 50, with a steeper increase in this age group compared to those 50 and older, according to the American Cancer Society.
- Racial Disparities: Black women experience higher breast cancer mortality rates compared to white women, often due to later diagnoses and less access to quality treatment.
- Importance of Early Detection: Early detection through mammography remains crucial in reducing breast cancer mortality.
- Treatment Advancements: New therapies, like inavolisib-based therapy, are showing promise in extending survival and delaying disease progression according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Like To Contact US? Email Gary VanDyke at TheIDPTipster@gmail.com.
Notice: We don’t directly accept or handle any monetary donations. Instead, donors provide all prizes directly, meaning they aren’t affiliated with any Cancer Foundation donation links or affiliates. Ultimately, this Breast Cancer Fantasy Football league raises awareness. Thus, any other fundraising proceeds, prizes, and volunteer time are purely non-profit.
We’re On The X!: @IDP_PlusCharity / @IDP_Plus
(AI-Assisted Article*) Fantasy Football Cancer Leagues
