Women's Basketball | 1/17/2019 12:01:00 AM

MONTREAL -- This weekend will mark the second of four "Shoot for the Cure" varsity sporting events slated for the McGill University campus during the 2018-19 school year. This is part of a U SPORTS fundraising initiative to raise breast cancer awareness and funding for the Canadian Cancer Society -- and other related local and provincial charities -- a program that is up and running for a 12th consecutive year.

The annual campaign has proven an overwhelming success since it was launched in the fall of 2007, with over $1.25 million in donations to date. All 47 U SPORTS women's basketball schools are participating in the program for the eighth year in a row. The initiative for this fundraiser was the brainchild of Rod Gilpen, the former women's basketball coach at Bishop's, now running the men's program at the Lennoxville-based institution.

The first event of the school year was held last fall by the soccer Martlets, who wore special pink uniforms in a 3-1 victory over No.4 ranked Laval on Oct. 15. The first "pink" game of the new year at McGill will be the women's basketball matchup against visiting Concordia at Love Competition Hall this Saturday (Jan. 19 at 4 p.m.). A week later, the first-place volleyball Martlets will host their annual "Dig for the Cure" soiree against visiting Sherbrooke on Jan. 25 in a 6:30 pm tip-off at Love Competition Hall. The final leg of this national awareness campaign will conclude with the women's hockey showdown against Concordia on Sunday, Feb. 3 in a 3 p.m. matinee at McConnell Arena.

Advance tickets are available online and cost only $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and McGill staff. Children 12-and under are admitted free.

Raffle tickets will be sold at the upcoming hoops contest to win an official pink-coloured game ball, signed by the Martlets. There will also be a raffle at the volleyball event to win a similarly-autographed pink game ball. The hockey game will feature a between-periods puck toss to win an autographed pink jersey and/or hockey stick. Among the other fundraising initiatives in place, each of the McGill teams involved are holding bake sales at their respective games. At the concession stands, pink popcorn and pink-coloured beverages will be sold with proceeds going to the cause.

"I am excited that every U SPORTS women's basketball team is poised to have a 'Shoot for the Cure' event this season," says project manager Jeff Speedy, head coach of the UNB Reds. "There are many positive aspects of this national initiative but having 100 per cent participation by all teams and their student-athletes is always very special. I am really looking forward to hearing about many successful events from across the country."

U SPORTS schools will raise money through regular season games and other special events. A cheque will be presented to the Canadian Cancer Society – which merged with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation in February 2017 – during the gold medal game of the 2019 U SPORTS women's basketball Final Eight, hosted by Ryerson University in March.

"We are so grateful to have the support of U SPORTS women's basketball again this season,"  says Jaime Legere, director of development (Atlantic region) for the Canadian Cancer Society. "It is always refreshing to see young adults support the breast cancer cause. Funds raised through Shoot for the Cure help fund ground-breaking breast cancer research in areas of risk reduction, screening, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. The advancements in these areas would not be possible if it wasn't for initiatives like (this) and the trust and kindness of our donors."

 

SHOOT FOR THE CURE YEAR-BY-YEAR DONATIONS IN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL:

• 2017-18: $118,958.16 ($100,961.31 to CCS)
• 2016-17: $122,274.97 ($90,703.21 to CCS)
• 2015-16: $124,612.76 ($98,775.90 to CBCF)
• 2014-15: $125,361.76 ($102,312.05 to CBCF)
• 2013-14: $138,360.58 ($112,898.03 to CBCF)
• 2012-13: $110,553.96 ($90,450.62 to CBCF)
• 2011-12: $121,248.70 ($98,706.92 to CBCF)
• 2010-11: $143,596.25 ($104,763.53 to CBCF)
• 2009-10: $104,715.80 ($94,650.96 to CBCF)
• 2008-09: $92,512.96 ($81,512.96 to CBCF)
• 2007-08: $50,320.87 ($50,320.87 to CBFC)

TOTAL:  $1,252,516.77 ($1,026,056.36 to CCS/CBCF)

About the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. At the Canadian Cancer Society, we are committed to improving and saving lives. That's why we are always looking for new ways to prevent cancer, find it early and treat it more successfully. It's why we're always ready to give people with cancer the help and support they need to lead more fulfilling lives.