U SPORTS 18th annual Shoot for the Cure campaign set to surpass $2 million in donations for breast cancer research
U SPORTS announced Wednesday that the 18th edition of Shoot for the Cure aims to raise $100,000, pushing total donations since its inception to over $2 million in support of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS).
Dedicated to furthering breast cancer research and awareness, Shoot for the Cure has established itself as a cherished tradition within the Canadian university sports community, rallying athletes, coaches, and fans toward a shared cause.
“Student athletes from U SPORTS women’s basketball teams, who have now been joined by other student athletes on a number of campuses, do such a great job raising funds and awareness for the Canadian Cancer Society. Shoot for the Cure also shows them the importance of giving back to their communities and to something bigger than sport,” said Jeff Speedy, Director of Athletics at the University of New Brunswick and Shoot for the Cure Project Manager.
Since its inception in 2007, in collaboration with the U SPORTS Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association,Shoot for the Cure has raise over $1.97 million in donations for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and other related local and provincial charities to help fight breast cancer.
“This is shaping up to be a very exciting year for the Shoot for the Cure initiative. To know that we are going to surpass the $2,000,000 total for money raised is amazing! That is not what we envisioned when we started in 2007,” said Speedy.
Continuing its hybrid fundraising approach for the fourth straight year, the 2024-25 U SPORTS women’s basketball breast cancer fundraising campaign will take place from January 22 to February 2, 2025, featuring a mix of virtual and in-person events.
Women’s basketball programs from across all four U SPORTS conferences will come together to raise funds and awareness for the cause.
"Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death among women,” says Doug Kane, Director of Independent Fundraising and Sports Alliances at the Canadian Cancer Society. “We are grateful to U SPORTS Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association in helping raise the necessary funds for research that improves breast cancer outcomes and programs that provide care, comfort and support for families affected by breast cancer across Canada."
Throughout the campaign, university basketball teams will host special events, fundraisers, and themed games to engage fans and generate contributions. Fans are encouraged to donate directly to the cause and show their support through social media using the hashtag #ShootForTheCure.
The 2023-24 campaign surpassed its fundraising goal and raised over $107,000 for the CCS and related local and provincial charities.
Donations can be made online via the Canadian Cancer Society website or in person during U SPORTS women’s basketball season games and other locally organized events by participating schools.
View the U SPORTS 2024-25 women’s basketball schedule at USPORTS.ca or visit participating member institutions online.