Local cancer research received a boost from the second annual Kicks for a Cure women’s soccer exhibition weekend held this spring.
The proceeds, which support the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center and Creighton University’s Hereditary Cancer Institute, totaled $145,000, surpassing last year’s total by 26 percent.
Last year, the event raised more than $107,000. Steve Lindsay, the 2007 event chair, contributed this year’s increased support to greater exposure of the event.
“It’s the result of having the first year under our belt,” Lindsay said. “Along with name recognition, we had more support from several corporations.”
Kicks for a Cure will strive to raise about $160,000 next year, he said.
At UNMC, the proceeds benefit women’s cancer research through the Liz’s Legacy Fund, which was established to help advance cancer research and care at the Eppley Cancer Center. The fund is named after the late Liz Karnes, an Omaha civic leader who died in 2003 after a 12-year struggle with ovarian cancer.
The proceeds for “Kicks 2006″‘ contributed to two different research programs at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.
Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, said last year’s funds supported new research initiatives in breast and gynecological cancers.
Dr. Cowan noted that one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer this year and that one in seven will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
“We need to make more advances in women’s cancers,” Dr. Cowan said. “While research has led to treatment and early prevention, there’s still a need for much more research to find better treatments. We need the support of the community to sustain our cutting edge research.”
At Creighton event proceeds support studies on the hereditary nature of cancer.
Tom Thompson, director of development, University of Nebraska Foundation, for the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, agreed with Dr. Cowan.
“The success of this event is the result of many people contributing a tremendous amount of time and resources to a cause they are very passionate about,” Thompson said.
“We’re very appreciative of their commitment and support,” he said. “So many people, so many families are affected by cancer, and the dollars raised through Kicks for a Cure help advance cutting-edge research that ultimately will lead to new, more effective cancer therapies.”
The weekend included a dinner event and a full day of soccer games featuring women’s high school and college teams. About 450 people participated in the dinner at the Omaha Doubletree Hotel. More than 1,500 people attended the games held at Creighton University’s Morrison Stadium. First National Bank of Omaha sponsored the two-day event.
The 2008 exhibition weekend is scheduled for April 18-19.
For more information about Kicks for a Cure, contact Thompson at 502-4116 or visit www.kicksforacure.org.