Cancer. It is a permanently life altering diagnosis. Everyone has some sort of connection to cancer, and because of this, October is recognized as Breast Cancer Research Awareness month. According to The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), 99% of Breast cancer diagnoses are of women and 26% of cancer diagnoses for women are breast cancer.1 This month alone, around 2700 women in Canada are predicted to learn they have Breast Cancer, and there is still no ‘cure’.

To help further the research, many initiatives take place throughout the month, whether independently run, or professionally sponsored. Many CanWest Soccer teams have organized fundraisers and games to shed a spotlight on this cause, including both HEAT teams. These fundraisers are in collaboration with the CCS and all funds go directly to CCS based resources and research.

On Friday, October 9, the men's and women’s soccer teams faced off against the UNBC Timberwolves for a night in honour of breast cancer survivors, victims, and research. The women played first at 5:00 PM, and both teams were adorned in pink warm-ups and, alongside the referees, held signs describing for whom they played in honour.

The first half of the women’s game was dominated by the leadership of midfielder Nina Louis, defender Rowan MacPherson, and the drive of forwards Megan Sun and Maria Georgacacos, with Georgacacos scoring the first goal of the game and her second goal of the season.

In the second half, forward Haden Thomas stepped alongside a goal hungry Georgacacos and Sun. Sun scored the second goal of the game in a penalty kick, giving UBCO their first two point lead of the season. At the 86 minute mark, Georgacacos scored her second goal of the night, ultimately leading her team in goals, and allowing the HEAT to pull forward 3-2 and earn their first win of the season. UNBC, also not seeing any wins so far this year, saw their first goals of the season by midfielders Aimee Glasser and Maresha Manulak. Unfortunately for them, the HEAT was on a hot streak and the Timberwolves fell short.

At 7:45 PM, the referees and men’s teams stepped onto the field also holding signs in honour of the cause. Similar to their women counterparts, both teams were still looking for the first win of the season. Immediately, forward Mosi Klusman stayed on the ball, with the help of midfielder Will Armitage and forward Gavin La Montagne, all playing aggressive offence against UNBC.

The first goal of the game was by UNBC midfielder Kaiden Young, after a clear shot from midfielder Mehdi Bounaaja. At the 35 minute mark, UNBC scores once more by midfielder Ryder Russman. With 20 minutes left of the game, the Young-Bounaaja partnership scored again with Young setting up the latter for his first goal of the season. Bounaaja then got the chance to score on a penalty kick and won the game 4-0 for UNBC. Despite some clutch saves by Goalkeeper Ronan Woodroffe, and some hot plays by defender and captain Ian Klumpen as well as defender Kai Gauthier, the HEAT ended up smothered by the Timberwolves in a landslide.

In a twist of fate, the women played for more than a win. The game showed the tenacity of the team and the drive to win for the cause. This win means so much more than a few points on the scoreboard, as they showed before the game, playing in honour of family members, loved ones no longer with us, and people currently affected by cancer.

The men gave a valiant effort, and not once did they falter. They kept the Timberwolves on their toes all game and came close to a few goals themselves. Unfortunately, the team was not able to come together, showing that this was simply not their night.

Even though UBCO’s big night is over, cancer still looms. Both teams have fundraisers going until the end of the month, each looking to raise for the Southern Interior Rotary Lodge in Kelowna. The Women’s soccer team’s goal is to raise $5000and are incredibly close to their goal, having raised over $4000. The UBCO men’s team decided to raise $3000 and are having trouble getting started, but have raised a noticeable $500. The Lodge, “a remarkable facility that provides accommodation, meals, and a supportive "home away from home" for cancer patients and their caregivers while they receive treatment”has been an active partner with the Soccer for Cancer fundraisers and the CCS in helping families affected by cancer.

So, for the rest of the month, there are many opportunities to ‘kick cancer’. Consider donating to one of the HEAT’s fundraisers. Start your own fundraiser, make a donation, or simply share your story. Cancer diagnoses do not stop on November 1st, but now’s the time to make your impact.

Donate to the WSOC Fundraiser here: https://fundraisemyway.cancer.ca/teams/UBCO-WSOC

Donate to the MSOC Fundraiser here: https://fundraisemyway.cancer.ca/teams/13242