VICTORIA – U SPORTS announced Monday that the 16th edition of
Shoot for the Cure and the $100,000 campaign fundraising goal in support of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and other related local and provincial charities.
This year, the University of Victoria fundraising efforts takes place from January 3 – 14th, culminating in the Shoot for the Cure game on Jan. 14th, during the women's basketball game versus the University of Northern British Columbia at 5:00 p.m. in the CARSA Performance Gym.
The initiative is particularly significant to the women's basketball program, as it was originally created in support of former Vikes head coach and Hall-of-Famer Kathy Shields during her battle against breast cancer. Each year, funds raised through Shoot for the Cure support gold-standard breast cancer research in areas of risk reduction, screening, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Vikes women's basketball players will shoot 100 free throws each, seeking
pledges from supporters for every made free throw with the goal of raising $2500. During Saturday's game, various promotions will also raise funds for the cause, including 'stats for the cure' where corporate and other interested donors can pledge for made three-point shots, total rebounds and team assists.
"The U SPORTS Shoot for the Cure is an important, impactful initiative, and our Vikes women's basketball team is proud to support this event again this year. Breast cancer is a life-changing diagnosis, not only for the patient but for the family as well," said women's head coach
Carrie Watts, who has been involved in the Shoot for the Cure since its inception 16 years ago.
"Several members of our team have had family members go through this experience first-hand and have seen the impacts of diagnosis, treatment and loss. This initiative is one small way our team can support the fight against cancer through raising awareness and funds for research and treatment."
For the second consecutive season, the 2022-23 campaign will offer a hybrid fundraising model, allowing for greater engagement and participation from across the nation. Last year, the Vikes basketball teams raised a record-setting $29,200 for the Canadian Cancer Society with help from major donors.
The 2021-22 hybrid event model raised over $156,000 for the CCS and related local and provincial charities, the largest annual donation since the campaign's inception. Since the fall of 2007, Shoot for the Cure has raised
over $1.75 million in donations.
Shoot for the Cure was founded by
Rod Gilpin, the long-time bench boss of the Bishop's women's (1993-2008, 2022-present) and men's (2008-2022) basketball programs.
Please help the UVic Vikes reach their goal,
donate now. Every pledge brings us one step further in the fight against cancer. Online pledging is secure, and it saves the Canadian Cancer Society money by reducing administrative costs.
Annual Shoot for the Cure donations totals is available on USPORTS.ca.
