Hoops event benefits breast cancer research

By Jasminee Sahoye

Kareem Griffin lost his mother to breast cancer and wants to help combat the disease.
Kareem Griffin lost his mother to breast cancer and wants to help combat the disease.

Despite advancement in cancer research, one in nine women will still be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. And, many families have been devastated with the loss of a loved one.

For Kareem Griffin, he knows that too well, losing his mother five years ago from breast cancer.

Griffin, who founded Incharge Sports & Entertainment, received approval from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) to pay tribute to his mother and others by hosting the first Shoot for a Cure Basketball Showcase fund raising event this Friday at Ryerson’s Kerr Hall Gymnasium.

According to a press release, the event is expected to provide “an exciting platform for young female student athletes to showcase their talents in front of friends and family as well as other supporters of our community.”

“Five years ago next month, my mother passed away from breast cancer. It was the most devastating news I’ve received in my adult life. Coming from a single parent home, she was all I had in terms of guidance from a parent. It hurt me deeply,” Griffin tells The Camera.

His organization, which has been conducting basketball events throughout the GTA and created summer camps for youth aged nine to18, hopes to raise $2,000.

“We would love to exceed that goal by anyway we can,” he adds. Doors to the event open at 6 p.m. Adult admission is $5; high school students with i.d. are $2 while kids 13 and under are free. Games are at 6:30 and 8:15 p.m.

Griffin says the fact that one in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer is the reason why support for research that could eventually lead to a cure is so important.

“To help you make a difference, we have set-up an online donation account for you to make a donation for the cause. With your help we will be able to fund ground-breaking research on prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment.

“It’s only with the continued support of our community that we can meet the needs for breast cancer research and continue to make progress in understanding, detecting, and treating breast cancer.”

The basketball coach says too many loved ones have lost their lives to breast cancer. “We want to put a stop to it. For us, this is the best way we can get involved in the fight against breast cancer.”

In 2013 the CBCF awarded more than $8.4 million in research and fellowship grants across the province thanks to the public’s ongoing support.

To donate to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, please visit and use the Donate link. Donations of $50 and over receive a tax receipt from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.