In conjunction with MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s social responsibility platform, Columbus Crew SC and the League will launch the 6th annual Kick Childhood Cancer campaign benefitting Children’s Oncology Group (COG), on Saturday, August 31 as part of childhood cancer awareness month.
As part of the initiative, Crew SC will host a Kick Childhood Cancer Fantasy Camp for up to 150 pediatric cancer survivors at MAPFRE Stadium featuring First Team players on Sept. 3. On Sept. 16, the Club is teaming up with NC4K – a nonprofit organization that provides support for kids fighting cancer - and Rule 3 to host a Bowling Event and Pizza Party for pediatric cancer patients/survivors and their families featuring Crew SC players. On Sept. 29, the Crew is partnering with Jessie Rees Foundation: Never Ever Give Up! to provide a unique matchday experience for a current pediatric cancer patient during the Club’s home match against the Philadelphia Union.
Supported by all 24 Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs, the month-long campaign will feature a commemorative gold adidas Nativo Questra 2019 Official Match Ball to be used during all matches as well as gold corner flags and goal nets. Kick Childhood Cancer gold captain’s armbands and gold ribbon jersey patches will be worn by the players, while coaches and technical staff will wear Kick Childhood Cancer pins and New Era caps on the sideline.
Fans are encouraged to support the campaign by using #KickChildhoodCancer on social media. For each post, that includes the hashtag, MLS will donate $1 to Children’s Oncology Group. New for 2019, players will wear special edition adidas Kick Childhood Cancer training tops during procession and national anthem, which are available on MLSstore.com and in team shops beginning Friday, August 30. Kick Childhood Cancer New Era caps will also be available on MLSstore.com and team shops. Proceeds will benefit Children’s Oncology Group.
Children’s Oncology Group is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research, uniting more than 10,000 experts in childhood cancer at more than 200 leading children’s hospitals around the world. Funds raised from the Kick Childhood Cancer campaign over the last five years have enabled Children’s Oncology Group to strengthen research efforts across the entire spectrum of pediatric cancers, including Project:EveryChild – a unique project aiming to capture the biology and outcome data of every child diagnosed with cancer. The cost of a single enrollment into a clinical trial such as Project:EveryChild can approach $10,000 per patient. MLS has helped to offset the costs of more than 17,000 enrollments to-date, with an expected 25,000 to be enrolled by the end of 2019. Fans can also donate directly to Children’s Oncology Group by visiting http://soc.cr/lbNv30lAEf8.
Campaign elements will also take place in-stadium, on league social and digital channels, and national and regional broadcasts. For more information on Kick Childhood Cancer, Children’s Oncology Group or other MLS WORKS initiatives, visit MLSsoccer.com/mlsworks.
