Shoot for the Cure shifts to digital campaign for 2021
U SPORTS, the governing body for university sport in Canada, has announced that the 14th edition of Shoot for the Cure will be held virtually during the week of February 1 to 7, 2021.
Organized since 2007 in collaboration with the U SPORTS Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association, the fundraising initiative raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and other related local and provincial charities to help fight breast cancer.
The UPEI Women’s Basketball team cannot hold its annual Shoot for the Cure game, so they are taking their fundraising efforts online. Their fundraising efforts can be supported by giving straight to their donation page or by playing along with their foul-shot competition.
In the foul-shot competition, participants pick their favourite Panther from the team roster and email student-athlete Madison Orser at morser@upei.ca with their selection. Each athlete will make 100 foul-shot attempts. Each basket sunk by a participant’s chosen player is a $1 pledge toward breast cancer research.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us to think of new ways to support the breast cancer society,” said Orser. “We hope that by doing this foul-shot pledge, we can continue to spread awareness and raise money for breast cancer research.”
In addition, members universities will promote the initiative through their digital channels as part of a national marketing campaign for the second consecutive year to raise $44,000. U SPORTS will also publish frequent updates of funds raised via social media, showcasing the national progression towards this goal and the cumulative 14-year target of $1.5 million.
“This has been a difficult year for U SPORTS student athletes, with primarily online courses and no meaningful games to play. The fact that so many of them are still participating in the annual Shoot for the Cure initiative to do their part, together, to help those affected by this brutal disease is great to see,” said Jeff Speedy, Shoot for the Cure project manager and head coach of the UNB Reds. “Our goal of raising $44,000 would be a very modest goal most years, but this year, with a pandemic and no games to play to help us raise money, it may be a challenge. We have a long list of very dedicated organizers, student-athletes, and donors who are on board to try to make it happen.”
All 48 U SPORTS women’s basketball programs across the four conferences are slated to take part, marking a decade of full membership participation. Last year, more than $106,000 was raised, topping the goal of $100,000 to mark the sport’s centennial anniversary.
Donations can be made online via the CCS’s website through each member institution’s individual team fundraising page here.
“Each year, funds raised through Shoot for the Cure support groundbreaking breast cancer research and a national support system to help people at every stage of their cancer journey,” said Jane Parsons, executive vice president, community giving at the Canadian Cancer Society. “Breast cancer hasn’t stopped being a life-changing and life-threatening disease during a global health pandemic, and the CCS has seen increased demand for many of our support programs, including our telephone and online programs. It's thanks to the generous contributions from Shoot for the Cure organizers, donors, and participants that we’re able to support Canadians affected by breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic and year-round.”
Go Panthers Go!
