Community News

United and MLS partner to kick-off 4th annual Kick Childhood Cancer initiative

IMAGE: bill childhood cancer

This September, D.C. United and MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative, are conducting the 4th annual Kick Childhood Cancer (KCC) campaign in conjunction with National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness and funds for children and their families battling pediatric cancer.


JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST PEDIATRIC CANCER WITH D.C. UNITED

The Black-and-Red are proud to team up with Leidos to offer fans a limited-edition UNAFRAID Childhood Cancer T-shirt. Net proceeds from the shirt sales will benefit the Leukemia Lymphoma Society National Capital Area, an organization dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma while improving the quality of life of patients and their families.


The T-shirts are on sale online and in the RFK Stadium Team Store.


Buy a Shirt

In addition, United and Leidos, in partnership with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society National Capital Area, will host a Childhood Cancer Survivors Celebration at RFK Stadium on Saturday, September 9, prior to United’s match against Orlando City SC. The event will celebrate over 20 local area children currently battling childhood cancer. Childhood cancer survivors will be treated to lunch and fun activities and will enjoy a private pre-game meet & greet opportunity with a D.C. United player. During the match, 20 cancer survivors will be spotlighted at halftime with a special childhood cancer recognition ceremony.


MLS GOES GOLD

United’s childhood cancer awareness campaign is part of MLS WORKS Kick Childhood Cancer initiative, an annual league-wide campaign created to raise awareness and funds in conjunction with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month-long campaign:


  • All matches will use a commemorative gold adidas Nativo 2017 Official Match Ball
  • All team captains will wear a Kick Childhood Cancer gold armband
  • Players and PRO referees will wear special edition Kick Childhood Cancer T-shirts designed by artist Maria Lauren Lambiris during pre-game activities
  • Players will wear a commemorative gold ribbon jersey patch throughout September
  • Coaches and training staff will also receive club-specific Kick Childhood Cancer scarves
  • Corner flags and goal nets will go gold for the month


As in years past, game-worn memorabilia will also be auctioned off via MLS WORKS starting Sept. 22.


The #ScarvesUp effort on social media is also back. For every post you hashtag #ScarvesUp on Twitter and Instagram, holding up either your favorite club scarf, MLS WORKS will make a donation to Children's Oncology Group.


Finally, you can also make a donation directly through the league’s crowdfunding page.


For more information on Kick Childhood Cancer and other MLS WORKS initiatives visit: mlssoccer.com/mls-works