Eclipse select ecnl-rl girl makes a huge impact!
Source: MayoMagazine
Inspired by her grandfather’s cancer journey, Lauren West combined her love of soccer with a mission to make a difference.
“Inspired by her grandfather’s cancer journey, Lauren West combined her love of soccer with a mission to make a difference.
“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.
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
By TEHRENE FIRMAN
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: https://mayomagazine.mayoclinic.org/2025/11/kicks-against-cancer/
“Eclipse Select SC is so incredibly proud of Lauren! Her leadership on the field is matched only by her compassion off it, and she continues to set the standard for what it means to be an Eclipse athlete — resilient, driven, and committed to making a difference in her community.”
