SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Quakes Foundation, the San Jose Earthquakes’ charitable arm, is dedicating the entire month of September to childhood cancer awareness with several activities and initiatives. This dedication comes in conjunction with MLS WORKS’ Kick Childhood Cancer month-long campaign.
The Quakes’ two home games this month will benefit organizations close to the club that work to improve the lives of children with cancer and help find a cure while promoting awareness for research and funding: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and the Austen Everett Foundation.
During September, the Quakes Foundation will sell limited edition black and gold Soccer For All scarves at the home games, with proceeds going to the nonprofits. The scarves will be sold at the Quakes 50/50 Kiosk under Section 112. The black and gold scarves are the third and final installment in this year’s Soccer For All scarf series by the Quakes Foundation.
Saturday, Sept. 15 vs. Sporting KC at 7:15 p.m.
Proceeds from the pregame Beer Fest, 50/50 raffle and Soccer For All scarves will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. LLS is the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding research, finding cures and ensuring access to treatments for blood cancer patients.
During the pregame ceremony, childhood cancer patients and their families will be honored on field and will make the shape of yellow ribbons while the players walk out onto the pitch.
Wednesday, Sept. 19 vs. Atlanta United FC
The Quakes and the Austen Everett Foundation will give 10-year-old Destinee Coronado a once-in-a-lifetime professional soccer experience. Coronado will sign a contract to join the Quakes roster for the match and will have many exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences both leading up to and at the game.
On April 14, Coronado was taken to the ER with pain in her abdominal area. After many tests and a CT scan, doctors found a Stage 3, malignant cancerous tumor growing in one of her ovaries. She underwent surgery to have the tumor removed the next day. Coronado is currently undergoing chemotherapy for cancer cells found near her belly button.
Proceeds from the 50/50 raffle and the black and gold Soccer For All scarf sales on the night will benefit the Austen Everett Foundation.
Austen Everett, the founder of the Austen Everett Foundation, was engaged to former Earthquakes forward Matt Luzunaris who played for the team in 2011. Everett was a Division I goalkeeper at Miami when she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2008. She started the Austen Everett Foundation, which works to inspire, empower and improve the lives of kids battling cancer by uniting them with professional and collegiate athletic organizations. She passed away in 2012, but her legacy continues with the Austen Everett Foundation for this honorary captain experience.
Entire Month of September
Limited edition Kick Childhood Cancer scarves and t-shirts will be worn by Quakes players, coaches and PRO referees during pre-game activities this month. The apparel, along with other “gold-themed” merchandise, including lapel pins and plush toys, are available for purchase at MLSstore.com with proceeds benefiting Children’s Oncology Group. The Quakes home matches will also feature “gold-themed” corner flags, goal nets, soccer balls, captain’s armband and commemorative jersey patches.
Fans are encouraged to post images with their black and gold Soccer For All scarves, or their other favorite Quakes scarves, on Instagram and Twitter using #ScarvesUp. In conjunction with the fifth year of the Kick Childhood Cancer campaign, MLS WORKS have quintupled their donation. For every tweet or Instagram post using the hashtag #ScarvesUp, MLS WORKS will donate $5 to the Children’s Oncology Group.
