What began as a Queen's Women's Soccer, single fundraising event in 2019, has now become a national fundraising campaign for the Canadian Cancer Society, incorporating dozens of university program and professional soccer programs.
Christie Gray, Queen's Women's Soccer alumna and the driving force behind the initiative, has rallied schools across the OUA and USPORTS who are participating in Soccer for Cancer.
Each school will dedicate a women's home game to raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
"We wanted to use our platforms as student-athletes to support people affected by cancer in our community. 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."
Today, the foundation built through Kick for the Cure is helping power Soccer for Cancer and drawing support from organizations including Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Vancouver Rise FC, professional and university athletes, and soccer leaders across Canada.
Queen's Women's Soccer Coach Dave McDowell coached the first Kick for the Cure game in 2019 and is proud to continue coaching Soccer for Cancer games.
"Christie Gray and her teammates built something truly meaningful when they launched Kick for the Cure at Queen's," said McDowell. "What started as one team's commitment to supporting those affected by cancer has evolved into Soccer for Cancer, a national movement uniting the Canadian soccer community. It's a powerful example of how student-athletes can create lasting change, and we're incredibly proud that its roots are here at Queen's."
Driven by student-athletes, coaches, alumni, families, and supporters, Queen's Women's Soccer has raised more than $100,000 in support of cancer research and patient programs for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Kick for the Cure has become one of the defining traditions of Queen's Women's Soccer and a lasting example of how athletes can use their platform to make a meaningful impact beyond the game.
"What makes Soccer for Cancer so special is that it started with the vision and leadership of one of our student-athletes." Linda Melnick, Executive Director of Queen's Athletics & Recreation says, "Opportunities for student learning, community connectedness and making a global impact are foundational to the student athlete experience at Queen's. We couldn't be prouder at the impact Kick for the Cure has had, and how our student athletes have continued the tradition of fundraising and giving year over year."
The Queen's Women's Soccer Team will be wearing their pink shirts and socks continuing to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society in their Soccer for Cancer game against the TMU Bold at Richardson Stadium in Kingston on September 13, 2026.
