The University of Victoria women’s basketball brought in a record-breaking $29,200 in donations for their Shoot for the Cure fundraiser held from Feb. 1-11.

This year's total nearly doubles the amount raised by the team last season and is the most money raised out of all participating institutions across Canada.

This year, the Vikes took on the challenge of shooting 100 free-throws each, seeking online donations for each made attempt. The team was able to raise $3,500 through this campaign, and $7000 more from free throws by UVic president Kevin Hall and head coach Carrie Watts following Friday night’s game. 

One Vikes player, first-year forward Meike Boerstra, raised nearly $900 in pledges alone.

“These fundraisers have always had a place close to my heart because I know how much of a difference it makes,” said Boerstra, “So having the opportunity to play a big role really made me want to step up.”

Boerstra’s personal experience with cancer made it even more meaningful.

“I've been an up-close witness of the battle with cancer, specifically breast cancer when my mom was diagnosed three and a half years ago," she explained. 

"I watched her fight incredibly hard, and, with the help of the funding, research, and technology that we have now, she is now recovering and living a healthy life again…”

Various other fundraising promotions were held during the game, including pledges from the Heart Pharmacy of $500 for each Vikes’ three-pointer and $100 for every rebound. The team would fill the scoresheet with nine three-pointers and 57 total rebounds that night, raising $15,200 more for the cause and bringing the total up to $29,200

Shoot for the Cure is a USPORTS wide initiative held every year to support the Canadian Cancer Society, as well as other local and provincial charities. It has raised over $1.59 million among its 48 participating schools since its inception in 2007.