The Brock women’s basketball team is participating in the 15th annual Shoot for the Cure to help raise money supporting the Canadian Cancer Society.

“We all have had at least one person, whether a family member, friend, classmate, teacher or peer, be affected by cancer at some point in our life,” said senior forward Mackenzie Robinson. “As the pandemic continues to persist, we can’t forget about the other diseases that people are faced with, such as breast cancer and other types of cancer.”

Brock is joining forces with 47 other U SPORTS women’s basketball programs from across the country to hit the nationwide goal of raising $100,000.

Donations can be made until Sunday, Jan. 30 through the Canadian Cancer Society website to help the Brock women’s basketball team reach their goal of $2,000.

Robinson, a Master of Education student from Collingwood, has witnessed the impact fundraising initiatives like Shoot for the Cure can have on someone battling cancer.

“I’ve seen this first-hand with my grandmother, who is still battling breast cancer,” she said. “Without these donations to support research, she wouldn’t be receiving the current treatment that she is, and because of that treatment, she is still alive today.”

Last year, Robinson and the Badgers helped contribute to U SPORTS’ total collection of $137,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An annual fundraising event for the Canadian Cancer Society, Shoot for the Cure will run in a hybrid format this season between online member events and in-person initiatives.

U SPORTS has set up a league-wide virtual auction where donors can bid on items such as a pair of Reebok shoes signed by former NBA player Allen Iverson.

The Shoot for the Cure event has run since 2007 and has a 15-year target of $1.69 million.

“Raising money truly does have a massive impact, especially on those who continue to fight cancer,” Robinson said. “By donating, these proceeds will go towards more research to find new methods for diagnosing, treating, managing and preventing cancer. Thus, providing effective treatments that are more affordable for those battling cancer.”