For 16 years, Soccer for Hope has been raising money and awareness for childhood cancer. The camp is being held at the Mission Viejo World Cup Center, 27301 La Paz Rd, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 from August 19-23 from 9 am to noon each day this week.
More than 200 boys and girls ages 7 -13 years old are participating. Each day a different college men’s and women’s soccer team is coaching the kids. Some of the college teams participating are Cal State University Fullerton, UC Irvine and Cal Poly Pomona. The kids are learning valuable soccer skills.
“I have been participating for 16 years, as a youngster and now with Loyola Marymount University as a soccer player,” Billy Thompson proudly said.
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No kid should every have to endure the pain and suffering of cancer. No parent should every have to lose a child to cancer. For the founders of Soccer for Hope, Oliver and Jamie Wyss, both of their young children Hudson and Abella were diagnosed with rare cancerous brain tumors. Hudson lost his battle in 2008 and Abella continues to fight.
Oliver Wyss is a former professional soccer player and a survivor of Aplastic Anemia. Aplastic anemia is a disorder in which the bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells.
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Through their experiences, the Wyss’ are driven to create awareness about pediatric cancer and give families support. They founded Soccer for Hope in 1998 and they have raised more than $1.75 million.
Cancer statistics for children is daunting. One in every 330 children will develop cancer before 19 years old. In fact, cancer is the number one cause of death in children yet pediatric AIDS receives four times the funding. Did you know nearly 3,000 children and teenagers will die from cancer each year?
Everyone is invited to the Soccer for Hope Inspiration walk at 9:30 am on Friday. You will have an opportunity to get information and sign up for the Bone Marrow Registry. For more information, to volunteer or donate, please call 949/716-7700 or go to their website www.soccerforhope.org. See you there!
