REDS Ready For Shoot For The Cure '24
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS, led by the women’s basketball team, will participate in the 17th edition of U SPORTS Shoot for the Cure, in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. The 2024 events take place between January 21st and 28th.
“Shoot for the Cure is an amazing initiative that U SPORTS women’s basketball has where we’ve come together for almost two decades now to help the Canadian Cancer Society,” said Erin McAleenan, head coach of the REDS’ women’s basketball team.
REDS teams will host a number of “Think Pink” events that week, including the women’s and men’s volleyball teams and the women’s hockey team. The centrepiece of the week will be the women’s and men’s basketball games, against the Cape Breton University Capers, on Sunday, January 28th, at 1:00 and 3:00pm.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to band together to support a cause that impacts many peoples’ lives and help play a role in funding research initiatives,” said Coach McAleenan.
U SPORTS has announced a fund-raising goal of $100,000 in 2024.
The Shoot for the Cure initiative, dedicated to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research, has become a staple on the Canadian university sports calendar, bringing together student-athletes, coaches, and fans in the fight against breast cancer.
“This is a special time of year. Our student-athletes and coaches do a great job of raising awareness and funds to fight this brutal disease,” said REDS’ Athletic Director Jeff Speedy, who also serves as Project Manager for Shoot for the Cure. “I’m always excited to see how much money we raise, but for me the best part of this initiative is that our student-athletes are giving back to their communities and making a difference in people’s lives.”
First organized in 2007, in collaboration with the U SPORTS Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association, Shoot for the Cure raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society, and other related local and provincial charities, to help fight breast cancer.
Local fund-raising effort will see the REDS auction off game worn ‘Think Pink’ jerseys as well as raffles and draws at the women’s game on the 28th, among other things.
As well, first-year RED Addie Mombourquette, sidelined this season by injury, will be among a handful of student-athletes cutting their hair for donation to a project that creates wigs for women who’ve lost theirs in treatment for breast cancer.
“What impresses me most each year is the way this initiative connects all our student-athletes across the country and ties us together as we strive for the same goal,” said Coach McAleenan.
Shoot for the Cure will run across all four U SPORTS conferences and will feature in-person and virtual events.
A national auction will feature an autographed Scottie Barnes Toronto Raptors jersey among other prizes.
“To have a hand in raising money for and awareness of breast cancer while being a student-athlete in such a grand way has been and will always be one of my fondest memories of being a UNB RED,” said Jennifer Nkuah, a third year forward from Brampton, ON. “I have not personally had anyone close to me be affected by breast cancer, but I have seen the effects it can have on the families of my friends and school mates. When fundraising, I keep my friends and their families in mind and do what I can to help the cause.”
In 2023, Shoot for the Cure raised more than $115,000. Since 2007, the effort has raised more than $1.85 million dollars.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, breast cancer is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women.
The Society says programs like Shoot for the Cure are ensuring important progress is being made and that since 1990, breast cancer deaths in Canada are down more than 40-percent.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics with files from U SPORTS
FILE PHOTO: James West/for UNB Athletics