Last Sunday, Creighton’s men and women soccer teams put on a 6v6 tournament at Morrison Stadium to fundraise for the Kicks for a Cure Cancer Foundation.

In light of Relay for Life this spring, it is evident that cancer has affected many Creighton students, whether it be in terms of personal experience or simply knowing someone affected by cancer in some way. United by cause and connected by community, Kicks for a Cure is one of many ways Creighton students can come together to support one another and have fun in the process.

Supporting cancer research initiatives, the the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center and Creighton University Hereditary Cancer Center, this foundation raises funds to help affected patients and families.

“The bigger purpose of the weekend though is to raise awareness for cancer education and prevention, and funds for cancer research,” sophomore and women’s team co-captain Madelyn Buckner said. “Creighton is a community that loves soccer and loves to help others. The event was definitely a lot of fun.”

Since 2006, Creighton has hosted this spring tournament, thanks to the collaboration of men and women soccer athletes. Some, like Buckner, served as captains with a competitive edge, assisting in organizing the event, and many more came out to just have fun with friends.

“Everyone was extremely welcoming to each other. I was intimidated before it started knowing the soccer teams would be watching us because they are so good, but they ended up being really open and inviting to everyone,” Nursing freshman Molly Christensen said. “Knowing I got to do something I love and help people by  doing it made it worthwhile.”

From freshman newbies playing for fun to soccer athletes out to win, all skill levels were welcomed. However, it seemed that the real underlying motivator to form a team and raise money for Kicks for a Cure came back to a personal connections to the cause.

Buckner played, and continues to play, in memory of her uncle, who passed away this past October during the soccer season after battling lung cancer for six months.

“Soccer was one way that helped me to cope with losing my uncle and seeing his family go through such an overwhelming and hard transition,” Buckner said.

Her uncle was never able to attend a Creighton game. But, Buckner described a game against Drake, the day of her uncle’s funeral, as a game that helped her not only get through the events of the day but play in his name for the first time.

“That night I played my heart out knowing that my uncle was getting to watch one of my games for the first time,” Buckner said. “When I think about this event and what it means, I think of that night. I think about all the people who would give anything just to find the cure to a disease that has taken so many.”

Overall, most students came out last Sunday to have fun and spend time with friends in name of a great cause. The underlying cause proves more personal to some than others. Regardless, events like Kicks for a Cure provide students a place in which to simply play in memory of a loved one or, for those not affected, serve as a support system.

“I know quite a few people who have suffered through cancer,” Arts & Sciences sophomore Katherine Hibbs said. “I was so glad to be able to raise money for the cause while having fun.”