Today Major League Soccer launched its month-long Kick Childhood Cancer initiative, the annual League-wide campaign to raise awareness and funds in conjunction with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
WATCH: #ScarvesUp | Kick Childhood Cancer
New to this year’s initiative will be the alignment with Scarftember, a social campaign launched last year for fan’s to show support of their MLS Club. For this year’s activation, renowned designer and illustrator Sophia Chang has created a Kick Childhood Cancer scarf for each MLS Club with proceeds benefitting Children’s Oncology Group, a partner of MLS WORKS — the League’s community outreach initiative — and one of the leading childhood cancer groups in the world. Each Kick Childhood Cancer scarf includes patterned graphics promoting the fight against cancer and soccer culture on one side, and club-specific initiative branding and colors on the other.
“The fight against cancer is one the most critical issues we are committed to supporting across our League,” said JoAnn Neale, Chief Administrative Officer, Major League Soccer. “Each year, we aspire to make an even greater impact in this fight by raising awareness and funds. By empowering our fans to join the fight through Scarftember, we hope to make our greatest contribution to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to date.”
Fans will also have the opportunity to support the overall MLS donation to Children’s Oncology Group. Throughout September, fans are encouraged to post images on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the #ScarvesUp hashtag. For each post submitted with the hashtag, MLS will donate $1 to Children’s Oncology Group.
Throughout the month of September, MLS clubs will recognize and honor children fighting cancer and local organizations working to find a cure. Additionally, MLS players and referees will wear Kick Childhood Cancer t-shirts designed by Sophia Chang during on-field pregame activities, coaches and training staff will wear the Kick Childhood Cancer scarves during matches, and all players will have a Kick Childhood Cancer patch on their jersey. Each match in September will also feature gold soccer nets and corner flags to promote awareness of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Kick Childhood Cancer scarves and other apparel will be available at MLSstore.com and select in-stadium retailers, with proceeds benefitting Children’s Oncology Group. Fans will also have the opportunity to bid on exclusive Kick Childhood Cancer game-worn and autographed memorabilia during an online auction at the Kick Childhood Cancer site from Friday, September 23 through Monday, October 3.
About MLS WORKS
MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative, is dedicated to addressing important social issues and serves as a platform for both League and club philanthropic programs. MLS WORKS seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader for improving the lives of people through sport. MLS WORKS has helped to improve the communities where we live and play our games by executing programs and campaigns that focus on cancer research and treatment, anti-discrimination, community service, health and wellness, environmental sustainability and accessibility to soccer. Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @MLSWORKS.
About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer features 20 clubs throughout the United States and Canada. The 2016 season marks the second year of the most comprehensive U.S. media rights partnership in the history of the league, as eight-year agreements with ESPN, FOX and Univision Deportes have commenced. For more information about MLS, visit www.MLSsoccer.com.
About Sophia Chang
Hailing from Queens with an avid spirit for the arts, Sophia Chang is a true product of her environment finding everyday excellence quite comfortable. She received her BFA degree in Illustration from Parsons School of Design in 2010. Since then, she has been an active member of the global creative community. From her student years to the present, Chang has immersed herself in a variety of creative fields from printmaking, graphic design, web design, illustration, marketing, event hosting, art curation and more. Sophia as the poised business beast that she truly is beyond hype. For more information, visit www.esymai.com.
