Time to hit the sod and kick cancer to help raise money
By David Anderson

Cherri Hunter, a guest at the event, was with her dog Focus who performed in a dog show, just one of the many activities held that day.

Kids and parents kicked at soccer balls and cancer at this year's Kick Cancer Charity Soccer Game held at Caledon Community Complex last Saturday.

Dave Babcock, organizer of Kick Cancer, began this quest after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Kick Cancer has evolved into an annual fund-raiser that brings out a variety of people to support the cure for breast cancer.

"Breast cancer is serious of course and Kick Cancer has been raising awareness for three years now," Babcock said.

During those three years, Kick Cancer has raised $60,000 for William Osler Health Centre Foundation, just $40,000 short of the goal of raising enough money to have an Oncology room built.

Jody Belford, coordinator at marketing and communications for William Osler Health Centre, said that Kick Cancer pledged them $100,000, which she said it's not an inconceivable goal they will reach by the end of this year.

Greg Scott enjoyed a nice dip in the water tank at this year's soccer festival Kick Cancer, which was attempting to raise $100,000 for an Oncology room for William

"They have given us their promise in 2004 that they would try to raise us $100,000 in four years," Belford commented. "We are very grateful for charity groups like Kick Cancer."

Included in the day's event was a live band, Organized Chaos, which performed hits by Steve Miller Band, Cream and AC/DC. As well, there was Jim Menken who sliced logs down to life-sized caricatures of bears with a chainsaw.

"I was asked to come and participate in today's event back in the win of 2007 by Dave Babcock," Menken said. "Also this event is a lot more personal to me since my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer."

Luckily though, Menken says that the cancer is only in her right breast and hasn't spread.

"So far the whole day has been going really well," Babcock said. "

"A lot of people have turned out and as it seems is having a great time."

The soccer game ran for 24 hours, startingat Saturday at noon until Sunday at noon.

As well, on hand were members from the health centre Nicole Hand, coordinator of Community Giving for William Osler Health Centre, Colette Thomson, director of Community Giving for William Osler and Dave Babcock, organizer of Kick Cancer.