The sixth edition of Kick Childhood Cancer, an MLS WORKS initiative, is underway, and teams around the league have been busy in the community. Below you can find the latest efforts from MLS and its teams during childhood cancer awareness month, benefitting Children's Oncology Group.
Previous updates:
Atlanta United
Atlanta hosted a nurses' luncheon during a conference for pediatric nurses, surprising the health-care workers with a surprise lunch for those in attendance on Sept. 9.
The next day, the Five Stripes held a game night with participants at Camp Sunshine.
Atlanta also hosted four Conquer Kids – four fans who are pediatric cancer patients or cancer survivors who had an opportunity to spend time with their favorite player.
During the Sept. 14 game at home against Columbus, VIP guests created a yellow ribbon for pediatric cancer awareness on the field during the pregame ceremonies, as part of a full rollout for their Kick Childhood Cancer game.
Chicago Fire
The Fire hosted Kick Childhood Cancer Awareness for their game on Sept. 14 against FC Dallas.
Colorado Rapids
The Rapids held KCC Awareness Night on Wednesday, Sept. 11 as they defeated the LA Galaxy 2-1 at DSG Park, welcoming Reyna Rosenbeck, a patient at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, as their “Kid Captain.” Colorado also auctioned off their limited-edition gold player-worn warmup shirts to raise funds for Kroenke Sports Charities.
FC Dallas
On Saturday FCD participated in the second annual "Pulling Together" event, a Texas-sized tug-of-war to fight pediatric cancer at Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie, Texas in partnership with CBS 11, the North Texas Business Alliance and Southwest Kia. FCD faced off against the Dallas Mavericks Entertainment Squad and came out the victors, in the process raising more than $10,000 in donations to the Children’s Cancer Fund.
Houston Dynamo
On Monday, the Dynamo kicked off their Soccer Kicks Cancer Auction ahead of Saturday's KCC events at their home game vs. Orlando City SC:
Minnesota United
The Loons donated tickets for Sunday's home match vs. Real Salt Lake to Children's Minnesota, an evening packed with KCC events involving children impacted by cancer in every aspect of the game. That included player escorts, a junior broadcaster and the selection of Betty, a 6-year-old ‘soccer fanatic’ and Children’s leukemia patient, as the game’s honorary captain.
Betty also got to spend some time with the team in the leadup to the match:
On Monday, Minnesota goalkeeper Vito Mannone and several of his teammates visited the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Center to serve pizza and meet some young patients:
Philadelphia Union
Over the past week the Union continued their yearly tradition of teaming up childhood cancer patients and athletes to design custom cleats and apparel to be worn during warmups for the annual Childhood Cancer Awareness Night.
This year, the club partnered with Kisses For Kyle to work with 43 childhood cancer patients in the Greater Philadelphia area. Young artists were the guests of honor at the club's Pediatric Cancer Awareness match on Saturday, as the Union hosted league leaders LAFC. The club also hosted a pregame fashion show on the stadium plaza that night, in partnership with Mascots for a Cure and A Moment of Magic.
Portland Timbers
On Sunday, the Timbers welcomed kids from the Children’s Cancer Association who created designs that the club are putting on t-shirts, which will be given to kids and families and also signed by Timbers players and auctioned off, with the proceeds benefitting CCA.
As part of the Collaborating with Kindness 911 program, Timber Joey and the rest of the Rose City side also welcomed Camden, a 4-year-old battling a brain tumor, to the match:
Seattle Sounders
The Rave Green highlighted youth battling cancer or in remission from Austen Everett foundation and Seattle Children’s Hospital at Sunday's 4-2 home win over the New York Red Bulls, including an in-stadium video feature, participation in SSFC's Zulily dream team and shoutouts in their traditional starting XI call and repeat.
The Sounders are also supporting club legend Zach Scott in the fight against childhood cancer via his "Out for Blood with Zach Scott" project, a blood drive that helps meet the needs of kids undergoing cancer treatments:
On Wednesday, Sounders FC are partnering with Love Your Melon for Kick Childhood Cancer night as FC Dallas visit CenturyLink Field. Fans can receive a LYM beanie with ticket purchase and have the option to donate their ticket for the game to a youth battling cancer:
Vancouver Whitecaps
On Saturday, VWFC held their Whitecaps FC Legends & Stars charity match before their 2-1 win over the Houston Dynamo, featuring a number of actors/celebrities currently filming or based in Vancouver, including Jacob Tremblay, Jensen Ackles, Ross Lynch and cast members from The 100, Riverdale, Siren and A Million Little Things as well as Whitecaps alumni.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber was also in attendance and made a $10,000 donation to Whitecaps FC community partners, supporting British Columbia’s kids. The match also featured Kid Captain Corbin, who was honored for his successful battle against leukemia:
