The sixth edition of MLS WORKS’ Kick Childhood Cancer initiative got rolling at stadiums across MLS on Saturday at the start of childhood cancer awareness month, with all 24 of the league’s clubs taking part in the campaign to benefit the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).
KCC includes a gold adidas Nativo Questra 2019 Official Match Ball used during all matches, as well as gold corner flags and goal nets, gold captain’s armbands and gold-ribbon jersey patches and specialty gold training tops in pregame warmups:
Fans can also purchase those special-edition adidas Kick Childhood Cancer training tops on MLSstore.com and in team shops starting this weekend; KCC New Era caps will also be available for purchase, with all proceeds benefiting COG. Fans can win these training tops, too, by entering MLS WORKS’ sweepstakes on Instagram. To enter, comment #KickChildhoodCancer and #Sweepstakes, follow @MLSWORKSand tag two or more friends.
Fans are encouraged to support the campaign by using #KickChildhoodCancer on social media. For each post with the hashtag, MLS will donate $1 to COG. Autographed and game-used memorabilia will also be auctioned off online from Sept. 23 to Oct. 7 and as part of MLS WORKS’ holiday auction from Nov. 25 to Dec. 9.
Here’s a few of the KCC activities around the league so far.
FC Cincinnati
Defender Justin Hoyte visited kids at Ronald McDonald House Cincinnati, playing games with residents and interacting with their families. It’s the first of many KCC events FCC are planning for this month.
FC Dallas
The club signed 10-year-old player Brynn Moore to a two-day contract and hosted her at Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Cincy:
Seattle Sounders
At every Sounders FC home match, not just in September but throughout the entire season, Seattle Children’s and Austen Everett Foundation collaborate to identify a local youth who is battling cancer or is in remission. The youth is featured in the Starting XI as the honorary team captain and is cheered by fans as they take part in the opening ceremonies. The Sounders are also hosting blood drives.
Coming up
This week, Atlanta United players will visit with patients and families at Children's Healtcare of Atlanta - Egleston. FC Cincinnati will be hosting a Cancer Free Kids event at Braxton Brewing, and Minnesota United FC are teaming up with the US women's national team to host kids who have been impacted by cancer at an open training session.
