The first Kicks for a Cure fund-raiser scored big in its fight against women’s cancer.
The March 31 weekend soccer events raised awareness, as well as an announced $100,000, for Liz’s Legacy, a fund started in memory of the late Liz Karnes, Ph.D., who died of ovarian cancer on April 24, 2003.
Liz’s Legacy benefits research projects at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Eppley Cancer Center.
“This was an incredible volunteer effort by those who share a passion to fight cancer,” said Tom Thompson, director of development for the University of Nebraska Foundation. “Cancer has touched the lives of far too many people. That’s why an event such as this is so well received in the community.”
Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, said Kicks for a Cure is important in raising awareness about the problem of cancer in women and about the benefits of cancer research. “Although one out of three women in America will be diagnosed with cancer, cancer research has led to important changes in early detection, cancer prevention and cancer treatment leading to significant improvements in survival of women diagnosed with cancer,” he said.
Former U.S. Senator David Karnes and daughters Korey, Kalen, Kara and Laurel served as honorary chairs. Funds from the event will be directed toward new research initiatives in breast and/or gynecological cancers.
Kicks for a Cure kicked off with a banquet for teams, sponsors and families, followed by a full day of exhibition games at the new Morrison Stadium on the Creighton University campus. Approximately 1,000 people watched exhibition matches April 1 between Omaha Marian and Westside, the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Iowa State, Yale and Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota and Creighton and Notre Dame. Laurel Karnes finished her college soccer career at Yale last fall.
“The Eppley Cancer Center appreciates the efforts of Kicks for a Cure and the involvement of these outstanding women’s soccer teams in an effort to raise awareness about this important health problem and to increase support for research in women’s cancer,” Dr. Cowan said.
For more information on the Kicks for a Cure event visit www.kicksforacure.org. For more information on Liz’s Legacy visit www.lizslegacy.com.