In 2019, Queen’s Women’s Soccer alumna Christie Gray and her teammates shared a goal: to use their platform as student-athletes to support people in their community affected by cancer.

The initiative they created - Kick for the Cure - raised funds and awareness for cancer treatment and research in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), and has since grown into one of the program’s signature events.

Seven years later, with more than $100,000 raised, the campaign has become a marquee on the Gaels calendar and a lasting example of the impact student-athletes can make beyond the playing field.

Gray said the idea started simply - a player-led effort to support people in their community affected by cancer - that grew into something much bigger.

“We wanted to use our platforms as student-athletes to support people affected by cancer in our community,” said Gray. “What started as one team event grew into something really special, and over the years we’ve built a culture within our program around giving back.”

Gray played for Queen’s from 2017-21. During her time with the program, the Gaels qualified for the playoffs each season, winning an OUA bronze medal in her rookie year and an OUA Championship in her final season. Gray was a two-time OUA East Division First Team All-Star (2019, 2021), U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian (2021), U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian (2020-21) and was awarded the OUA East Division’s Community Service Award in 2021, in part for her role with Kick for the Cure.

Now graduated and playing professional soccer, Gray said it was important for her to continue that work as her career moved to the next stage.

“You are given a special opportunity to compete as a varsity athlete on a university campus and I think that comes with a certain responsibility,” said Gray. “If you are lucky to continue on as a professional athlete, that responsibility escalates and I feel it is especially important to be the change that you wish to see in the world. I’ve always been passionate about connecting like-minded people and seeing what's possible together.”

Since graduating from Queen’s, Gray has played professionally for four years in Sweden and Ireland, and last season she was part of the inaugural Northern Super League season in Canada with the Calgary Wild. Gray played in 21 games with seven starts for Calgary last season.

Gray is now working as Volunteer Strategic Advisor & Founding Ambassador, Soccer for Cancer to expand the initiative nationally by connecting universities, athletes and soccer communities across Canada - building on the model first created at Queen’s. By working with teams across U SPORTS, the professional game and grassroots clubs, she is helping build Soccer for Cancer - a growing network across Canadian soccer - to support cancer research and vital support services. 

“My role has been to help connect the soccer ecosystem in Canada to the initiative. Everything from introductions and facilitating meetings with prospective U SPORTS programs across the country, to establishing a framework to select student champions, storytelling strategies and connecting teams with a local CCS representative to support with their customized fundraising dashboard and Soccer for Cancer match day activations. We are trying to provide as much support as possible to ease the lift for schools, recognizing the many demands they already face.”

The initiative aims to work with universities across U SPORTS and beyond to make the campaign more unified and accessible, providing resources and structure so programs can run successful fundraising efforts in their own communities. 

While the initiative continues to grow nationally, Gray believes its success comes from something simple, helping student-athletes connect to the cause on a personal level.

“I think what makes it really strong is leaning into the storytelling aspect, those personal cancer-connection stories and acknowledging your “why.” It has become a big part of our program, and it reminds us of the impact each of us can have in making a difference.”

The focus on personal stories and shared purpose has helped the campaign resonate not only within the Queen’s program, but with teams across the country who are now joining the initiative.

Gray, who will return to Ireland this season to continue her professional soccer career while completing her Masters of Football Business with the Cruyff Institute and FC Barcelona, said working with teammates, and rivals alike, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the campaign. 

Gray gave a special shoutout to programs already leading the way in supporting the fight against cancer, including the University of Victoria (Vikes Kick Cancer) and Trinity Western (Cancer Awareness Night for Anna Dunn), both of which have made long-standing efforts to raise awareness and funds. They are now joining forces as early ‘teammates’ of the Gaels in the Soccer for Cancer movement. Other early supporters include the University of Regina, UBC, UBCO, UNBC, SMU, and UNB, with many more positive conversations underway.

For Gray, the experience has been deeply meaningful, first as a Gael helping launch the initiative, then as a professional athlete helping grow it, and now as an ambassador working with the Canadian Cancer Society.

"There are a few athletes whose parents are currently battling cancer on our team, within our own walls - our own QWSOC family walls. I received a touching personal note from a parent to say thank you and how much it means to families who are navigating cancer. It nearly brings you to tears and reinforces your “why” - as well as your motivation to make a difference.”

Kick for the Cure remains a cornerstone event for the Gaels. The campaign will enter its eighth year this fall as Queen’s prepares for the 2026 OUA and U SPORTS season, and Gray said she’s proud to see new generations of players carrying the initiative forward.

“As new generations come into the program, you run the risk of losing legacies,” said Gray. “I think we’re super fortunate because the girls have done the exact opposite. They’ve really taken it and driven it to a new level. It makes me really proud.”

Gray started the initiative with her entire team in 2019. Including her house of teammates on Alfred Street (Jamie Foot, Anna Stephenson, Alex Doane, Emily Thomas, Sarah Whelan), now fellow professional player Cecilia Way, and Jenna Leslie, who is now an assistant coach with Queen’s Women’s Soccer. Gaels alumni like Alicia Sutcliffe, Sophie Miranda, Sofia Naufal and Kirstin Tynan, now a goalkeeper with Vancouver Rise FC in the Northern Super League, were instrumental in growing the event for years following. Now current players like Peyton Wynn, Lily Bouvier and Cassia Crozier and her generation are leading the Gaels’ efforts around the initiative.

Looking ahead, Gray has ambitious goals for what the initiative could become. In the short term, she hopes to see dozens of programs across the country participate.

“If we look at Soccer for Cancer in year one, I would be over the moon if we could get 20 U SPORTS programs on board. My dream vision for the future is to scale this and have every single U SPORTS women's and men's soccer program involved. I would also love to see every single NSL, CPL and MLS club help us lead the way.”

“The power of community is pretty special. I want this to be a unifying experience that brings people together across the country, sharing a game we love.”