While the game itself may have ended in a draw, a small win was achieved in a global fight against cancer this past weekend.
On Sept. 13, the team hosted their annual Kick for the Cure game against Toronto Metropolitan University at Richardson Stadium. Instead of wearing their usual yellow home jerseys, the team donned bright pink uniforms, symbolically united as a team to help fight breast cancer.
READ MORE: Queen’s Soccer settles for two draws in first games back at Richardson
Founded in 2019, the Kick for the Cure initiative was created by former Queen’s Women Soccer players to raise funds for breast cancer research. They partner with the Canadian Cancer Society and are part of Soccer for Cancer program, an initiative in which teams from across Canada raise money and awareness for people affected by cancer.
Since 2019, the Gaels have raised over $100,000 for cancer research, according to the Canadian Cancer Society’s website.
In an interview with The Journal, goalkeeper Lily Bouvier talked about the significance of Kick for the Cure.
“It’s a game we play every year to raise funds for specifically breast cancer research, but more generally just cancer [research] in general […], just trying to raise awareness and funds for it,” Bouvier said.
Through the game and several social media pushes, the Women’s Soccer Team was able to surpass their fundraising goal of $10,000 this year. By the end of the match, the team had raised close to $12,000 at the time of this publication, with Bouvier alone raising over $3,000, the most on the team. Bouvier said was very inspired to help with the initiative as cancer is something that is very personal to her.
“I just always do a big push for it. My mom had breast cancer while I was growing up and so it’s just been something that I feel very passionate about and try to do my best to help as much as I can,” she said.
Other soccer leagues around Canada have also partnered with the Canadian Cancer Society in the past few years to help raise money for cancer research, including the Northern Super League (NSL) and the Major Soccer League (MLS).
Additionally, other varsity teams at Queen’s also partner with the Canadian Cancer Society to help spread awareness and raise funds for breast cancer research. The Women’s Basketball Team hosts an annual Shoot for a Cure game, and the Men’s Rugby Team participates annually in the CIBC Run for a Cure.
“I think that each team should support a cause of their choosing and have a game or time period dedicated to that,” Bouvier said. “I think it’s really important to use the power of sport for something bigger than just playing, and for something that has a greater impact on our community and society in general.”
Bouvier also emphasized the need for people to get tested regularly for early signs of cancer.
“Making sure that people are aware of cancer, testing themselves and getting tested when they can is super important,” she said.
Kick for the Cure was more than just a soccer game. While in the standings it was just another match, it helped unite people to raise awareness and support for a cause that extends far beyond the field.
Tags
Canadian Cancer Society, Kick for the Cure, Woman's Soccer
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