The Brock women’s basketball team is taking on a formidable opponent in their next game: breast cancer.

The team’s 17th annual Shoot for the Cure game, which takes place in the Bob Davis Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 20., aims to raise money for and awareness of breast cancer research.

“Raising money for this cause is especially important to me because of how many women in my family have been affected and continue to be affected by breast cancer,” said forward Olivia Fiorucci, a third-year Kinesiology student from Hamilton.

Breast cancer has cast its shadow across multiple generations of Fiorucci’s family. Several maternal and paternal aunts have beaten the disease and Fiorucci’s 39-year-old cousin, Alexandra Salerno, was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this season.

“She is currently undergoing chemotherapy. It’s been a difficult time for our family, but we’ve all come together to support her on her journey,” she said. “I am proud of her for being so positive and resilient.”

Shortly after learning the news of her cousin, Fiorucci purchased a pair of Nike Zoom KD 3 Aunt Pearl’s, a pair of shoes with a special all-pink design to honour NBA player Kevin Durant’s family member who passed away from cancer.

The insoles are inscribed with a message that Fiorucci identifies with: “In memory of Aunt Pearl who inspired us all to continue the fight for a cure. The KD16 honours women in sport who have fought the fight against cancer.”

Fiorucci feels she is wearing the courage of her family when she laces up her shoes.

“The sport of basketball became different for me. It’s a place where resilience isn’t just measured in points,” said Fiorucci. “It’s helped to provide me strength to confront life’s toughest battles on or off the court.”

In partnership with other U SPORTS women’s basketball programs across Canada, the Badgers are raising funds to help reach the total campaign fundraising goal of $100,000 through virtual and in-person events from Wednesday, Jan. 17 to Sunday, Jan. 28.

Fans in attendance at Shoot for the Cure will be able to scan a QR code and donate towards the team’s fundraising goals. Donations can also be made online via the Brock Badgers’ Canadian Cancer Society fundraising website.

Last year, Shoot for the Cure events across the country raised more than $115,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society, adding to the more than $1.85 million raised since the initiative launched in 2007.