VICTORIA – A year after his death, and three years after his diagnosis, the University of Victoria men's and women's soccer programs remain steadfast in continuing to honour Mackenzie Rigg's legacy by raising money for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada through the annual Vikes Kick Cancer event.
Diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer, Astrocytoma Grade IV (glioblastoma), the former men's soccer captain sadly passed away last March after his 19-month battle with cancer.
When word of Rigg's diagnosis originally broke in 2020, current and former players from both the men's and women's soccer teams jumped into action, spearheading the first-annual Vikes Kick Cancer event. The news rocked the Victoria athletic community, who rallied to support Rigg and his family, raising just over $80,000 for brain tumour research, far surpassing the initial goal of $5000.
Since that time, the event and tributes honouring Rigg have surpassed $180,000. Due to the generosity of the community and Rigg's parents, a research grant was also established in his name.
Four years after the initial Vikes Kick Cancer event, Rigg's former teammates, friends and program newcomers are continuing to raise money in his honour.
"It is important to continue to honour Mackenzie's legacy because he was a varsity captain, as well as a Gustavson School of Business council member, but equally as important, he was just another fit, healthy young man who went to the same classes, had the same friends, and sat in the same change room as we all do today," said
Fin Tugwell, current Vikes men's soccer player and one of the 2023 event organizers.
"A few guys on the team still remember Mack as a teammate, a leader, and a friend who loved the game, and loved our school as much as anyone."
The Vikes Kick Cancer weekend runs Oct. 13-15, 2023. There will be a tent set up selling raffle tickets at the
men's soccer games on Friday, Oct 13. and Saturday, Oct. 14, at Centennial Stadium. Children get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Come out and support the Vikes in their last home game of the season and help make an impact and contribute to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.
On Sunday, Oct. 15, student-athletes from all the Vikes varsity teams will be running laps of UVic's Ring Road to collectively run 270km, representing the 27 Canadians diagnosed with brain tumours each day.
If you can't make it out to the games, those wanting to participate are encouraged to run as much as they can and post it to social media and tag @vikeskickcancer, where all the proceeds will go to cancer research and improving the lives of those affected.
To learn more about Vikes Kick Cancer and to donate, please
click here.
The event precedes Brain Tumor Awareness Week, which occurs globally during 28 October – 4 November, highlighting the challenges in brain tumour and cancer treatment, as well as the need for increased research efforts into these diseases.
