Mackenzie Robinson will never forget the moment she received the dreaded phone call — her grandmother had just been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The senior guard on the Brock women’s basketball team immediately felt her mind race to the worst-case scenario, fearing she’d lose her beloved family member to the relentless disease.

But treatments since the October 2019 diagnosis have left the pair feeling hopeful for the future, and have motivated Robinson, alongside her basketball teammates, to join the quest to find a cure.

The Brock women’s basketball team is participating in the 14th annual Shoot for the Cure breast cancer fundraising initiative, which this year has shifted to a virtual campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brock, alongside universities from across the country, are doing their part through U SPORTS to raise a total of $44,000 in support of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS).

“Just because the world has slowed down due to COVID-19 doesn’t mean cancer has,” said Robinson, a Teacher Education student from Collingwood. “Just because Shoot for the Cure is online this year doesn’t mean we can’t enlighten others to this devastating disease. Any donation counts, no matter how much; even your time advocating and raising awareness will make a difference.”

The Badgers, many of whom have been touched by cancer in some way, have set up a donation page and have already surpassed the $1,000 mark. Last year, they were one of 48 teams who contributed to a total of $106,000 raised for the cause.

The Shoot for the Cure event has run since 2007 and has an ultimate goal of $1.5 million within 14 years.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, about one in eight Canadian women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime and one in 33 will die from the disease.

Robinson hopes those statistics will resonate with people and encourage them to support the cause, because, unfortunately, it’s likely someone they know and love will at some point receive a diagnosis.

Robinson’s personal experience has only further driven her to make a difference by regularly taking part in community fundraising events such as Relay for Life. She has also cut and donated her hair, in honour of her grandmother, to Chai Lifeline Canada, a Toronto-based organization that helps families with children battling life-threatening illnesses.

Having also had loved ones impacted by cancer, third-year guard Jenneke Pilling believes raising money for research provides hope.

“Cancer is a disease that affects every person in some way over the course of their lifetime,” said Pilling, a St. Catharines resident who is studying Teacher Education. “I’ve had multiple family members, as well as my best friend, diagnosed with this awful disease. There will be more in the future, so it’s important to find effective treatments and increase the survival rate.”

Named after her grandmother who passed away from cancer, Pilling is inspired by a number of individuals in her life who have struggled with the illness.

Her best friend and former high school basketball teammate was diagnosed with cancer last year. Pilling received the news while the Badgers were away in Ottawa competing at the national U SPORTS Women’s Basketball Championship.

“She isn’t able to play the game we both know and love due to health problems,” said Pilling. “This motivated me to play hard and the best I can. She inspires me to make the most out of every day, because I am able to.”

Assistant coach Matthew Tang said it’s critical that future generations don’t face the overwhelming burden of cancer.

“We believe that we are the generation to help end cancer,” he said. “My grandfather passed away from cancer when my father was a teenager, which has motivated me to help promote cancer awareness and aid in efforts to help make sure children do not lose their parents to the disease.”

Shoot for the Cure donations can be made online via the CCS website, through Brock’s team fundraising page.