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The
event was envisioned in 2004 by Dave Karnes and Steve and Amy Lindsay.
2006 marked the first year of the event and in just two short years more than
$250,000 has been raised benefiting cancer research.
Funds are raised through sponsorships, in-kind donations, and sale of banquet
and game tickets to the general public. Grants
totaling $242,000 have been awarded by
Kicks for a Cure, A Benefit for Liz’s
Legacy, to fund cancer research initiatives at
UNMC
Eppley Cancer
Center and Creighton University Hereditary
Cancer Center. The research targets
cancers affecting women, but is more global in its impact. Additionally, a $5,000 grant was awarded
in 2007 to Creighton Women’s Soccer for an endowed scholarship.
The primary purpose of the weekend is to raise awareness for women’s cancer
education and prevention. It is
also an opportunity to generate a broader interest in women’s collegiate
athletics, and to showcase Omaha
as a compassionate, vibrant community where health care, education, commerce and
recreation intertwine.
Now entering it's third year, participants in Kicks For a Cure have included
Division I soccer teams Nebraska, Marquette, Notre Dame, Yale, Kansas,
Minnesota, Iowa State and host Creighton, as well as Division II teams UNO,
Rockhurst and Truman State. Local
girls’ high school teams have also participated including Westside, Marian,
Millard North, Elkhorn,
Gretna and Burke.
Each team plays one game Saturday at Creighton University’s Morrison Stadium (18th & California
Streets), with a seating capacity of over 7,000.
Other activities include a soccer skills clinic for underprivileged youth
conducted by participating teams, and autograph sessions following collegiate
game. A benefit banquet Friday
night kicks off the weekend. In 2007 over
450 people made the dinner event a unique experience where attendees interact
with participating players in a family-oriented environment.
Kicks for a Cure, Inc. is a Nebraska not-for-profit corporation and holds an IRS exemption as a 501(c)(3).
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