VICTORIA - The UVic Vikes women's soccer team will have a remarkably different look when they take the field for their home opener against the Calgary Dinos this weekend. The Canada West champs will be sporting pink jerseys to help raise awareness for breast cancer.

The municipalities of Saanich and Oak Bay have proclaimed October as Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Breast Cancer Awareness month. To officially launch the proclamation, the Vikes will be outfitted in pink and a flag-raising event will be held at halftime. The CIBC Run for the Cure flag will be raised to mark the start of this fundraising initiative.

The Vikes play their first home game of the 2009 Canada West season on Saturday, September 19 with a 12 p.m. kickoff against Calgary. Admission to the game will be free for anyone wearing pink, or by making a donation to the CIBC Run for the Cure. The Vikes will also play the Lethbridge Pronghorns on Sunday.

Centennial Stadium, the Vikes home field, is also the site for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure that takes place on Sunday, October 4. Taking place in 56 locations across Canada, the Run is Canada's largest single day, volunteer-led fundraising event that raises funds for breast cancer research and community education and awareness programs. Visit www.cbcf.org for a full listing of BC Run Sites.

Every year, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, along with its donors, sponsors and partners, raises funds to support unique and innovative initiatives in prevention, early detection, treatment, research and emerging issues in the health care workforce.