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UVic Vikes support teammate with Kick Cancer fundraiser

The Vikes men’s and women’s soccer teams, along with the rest of the University of Victoria’s varsity teams, will collectively run 270 kilometres at UVic on Sunday, in honour of the 27 Canadians diagnosed with brain tumours each day.

The Vikes men’s and women’s soccer teams, along with the rest of the University of Victoria’s varsity teams, will collectively run 270 kilometres at UVic on Sunday, in honour of the 27 Canadians diagnosed with brain tumours each day.

After a successful launch last year, the Vikes men’s and women’s soccer teams are once again hosting Vikes Kick Cancer, a fundraiser for the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada. They raised $80,000 last year. While the goal is to raise $5,000 this year, the ultimate plan is to fund­raise another $19,000 and reach $100,000.

All the teams have joined together to both raise money for a good cause and to show support for Mackenzie Rigg, a former teammate and men’s soccer captain who was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer last year.

“Although this may feel like old news, Mackenzie is still battling brain cancer. This is something that he and his family have to deal with every single day,” said Trinity Kettyls, Rigg’s girlfriend, who spearheaded last year’s fundraiser. “The support meant so much to them last year and we want to bring attention back on them and remind everyone that he needs our continued support.”

The Vikes Kick Cancer run takes place on Sunday to ­coincide with Brain Cancer Awareness Day. Those unable to attend the run in person can do so virtually. Last year, the event saw participants join in from as far away as Hong Kong, South Korea, Switzerland and New Zealand. To learn more about how to ­participate virtually, follow ­@VikesKickCancer on ­Instagram.

Teams will start running around the University of ­Victoria’s Ring Road starting at 10 a.m., with teams leaving at timed intervals.

For more information, or to donate, go to braintumor.ca/events/vikes-kick-cancer.

parrais@timescolonist.com