The U11 Lakeshore Lightning Girls Hockey Team has delivered a remarkable boost to local cancer research after a full season of completing good deeds across the community, ultimately earning a national victory in the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup and directing $100,000 to the Cancer Research Collaboration Fund (CRCF) – one of the largest community gifts in the fund’s history.
Their accomplishment builds on the momentum created over the past few years by Windsor Spitfires player Carson Woodall, whose youth-led Woody’s Hoodies initiative has contributed $57,000 to CRCF. Carson’s unwavering fundraising efforts helped lay the foundation for CRCF to secure major matching opportunities.
Combining the U11 Lakeshore Lightning’s donation with Carson’s contribution, the Cancer Research Society, a national, not-for-profit leader in cancer research – matched the total dollar- for-dollar. In all, $400,000 is now being invested into cancer research in Windsor-Essex – a community-powered achievement built on years of dedication, good deeds, and shared purpose.
Held at the WindsorEssex Community Foundation, the CRCF supports innovative cancer research and strengthens the region’s capacity to advance scientific discovery.
This marks the first-ever matching grant partnership in our region with the Cancer Research Society, representing a significant milestone for local research collaboration.
The funding will support three Windsor-Essex cancer research projects, including the first which will be led by Dr. Munir Rahim, Associate Professor in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Windsor and WE-SPARK Health Institute Core Principal Member. His project, “Cancer immunoevasion via an inhibitory NK cell receptor,” explores how cancer cells evade the immune system, with the goal of informing future treatments.
This partnership and project alignment were facilitated through the WE-SPARK Heath Institute Alliance Network Program, which brings researchers, funders, and community organizations together to strengthen collaboration, accelerate discovery, and advance health research in the region.
The Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup is a national initiative encouraging U10–U15 minor hockey teams across Canada to create positive community impact through meaningful acts of service.
Teams apply values learned on the ice, teamwork, leadership, and compassion, to support community causes, with the winning team earning a substantial charitable gift for the organization of their choice.
The funding announcement was made on November 19 at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre, where players, families, partners, and community leaders gathered to celebrate this significant milestone for local cancer research.