Benefactor Stories > Kicks Against Cancer

Kicks Against Cancer

Inspired by her grandfather’s cancer journey, Lauren West combined her love of soccer with a mission to make a difference.

By Tehrene Firman Photography by Lucy Hewett

On a warm summer morning in Naperville, Illinois, 16-year-old Lauren West laced up her soccer cleats. But this time, it wasn’t about the number on the scoreboard — it was about something far more meaningful.

With her teammates by her side and a field full of children ready to learn the game she loves, Lauren launched Kicks Against Cancer, a youth soccer event with one powerful goal: raising funds to support urothelial cell cancer research at Mayo Clinic — a type of bladder cancer her grandfather, Steve Murphy, is currently battling.

An Unbreakable Bond

Lauren has always had a close relationship with her grandfather. Over the years, they’ve spent countless holidays together and made cherished memories on family trips — everywhere from the lush landscapes of Hawaii to the sandy shores of Anna Maria Island in Florida. Along the way, they also built beloved traditions, like their weeklong Nana and Papa Camp, where Lauren would spend a week at her grandparents’ house every summer, soaking in their undivided attention and love.

When Lauren and her family found out her grandfather had been diagnosed with stage 4 urothelial cell cancer, their world turned upside down.

“I remember feeling a wave of fear and confusion. I had never known anyone with cancer before, and I didn’t really understand what it meant. Was he going to be OK? It was overwhelming and scary,” she says.

Kicking Toward a Cure

By the time Lauren and her family learned the severity of her grandfather’s cancer, Jacob J. Orme, M.D., Ph.D., an oncologist at Mayo Clinic, already had a plan in place for Steve’s treatment.

After discovering Dr. Orme’s research focused on finding a cure for urothelial cell cancer, Lauren knew she wanted to combine her passion for soccer with her drive to make a difference.

As a varsity and Elite Club National League travel soccer player, it wasn’t uncommon for parents to ask Lauren to lead private training sessions with their children.

That's when the idea hit Lauren: She decided to organize a charitable soccer camp where proceeds would go toward cancer research at Mayo Clinic. From there, Kicks Against Cancer was born and became a day of hope, teamwork and support for her grandfather and others with cancer.

“I wanted to raise awareness and support not only for my grandpa but for everyone fighting cancer,” she says. “And hopefully, by doing this, I could inspire younger kids who attend the camp to one day give back to a cause close to their heart too.”

Lauren quickly achieved that goal. The day of the event, she experienced an outpouring of support from family, friends and her broader community. It wasn’t only the support of those close to her that moved her — it was also the kindness of complete strangers. Passersby who stopped to learn about what Lauren was doing didn’t hesitate to give, donating on the spot. “That kind of generosity is something I’ll never forget,” Lauren says.

Hope and Healing

That day, Kicks Against Cancer raised more than $10,000, with an anonymous Mayo Clinic benefactor doubling Lauren’s efforts.

“That number represents so much more than money,” Lauren says. “It’s hope, love and a whole community coming together. That was, hands down, the most meaningful and rewarding part of it all.”

In Dr. Orme’s laboratory at Mayo Clinic, a picture of Lauren and Steve hangs on the Wall of Fame — his team’s tribute to the patients and family who are affected by cancer. Dr. Orme says those photos are a constant reminder of why they do this research. “At Mayo Clinic, our patients are our partners,” he says. “People like Lauren inspire us every day to get to work to fight cancer.”

At 16, I’ve learned that you don’t have to be an adult or have a lot of money to create impact — you just have to care enough to act.
— LAUREN WEST

Steve couldn’t be prouder of his granddaughter. He says watching Lauren choose to put others first — at an age filled with the usual distractions of classes, sports, friends and new responsibilities — shows a maturity and compassion well beyond her years.

With the support of his Mayo Clinic care team, Steve has turned an initial six-month prognosis into more than two years of life. He has joined a clinical trial based on Dr. Orme’s discoveries, matching his granddaughter’s efforts to help combat this disease. He continues to make the most of each day, while Lauren is determined to make his journey a catalyst for change.

“At 16, I’ve learned that you don’t have to be an adult or have a lot of money to create impact — you just have to care enough to act,” Lauren says. “Whether it’s raising funds, spreading awareness or simply showing up for a cause, philanthropy is about giving from the heart and doing what you can to help others when they need it most.”