September 16, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Inter Miami CF News Release
Inter Miami CF announced the Club’s initiatives to support Major League Soccer’s Kick Childhood Cancer campaign in an effort to raise awareness of pediatric cancers and fundraise for childhood cancer research in the month of September.
Kick Childhood Cancer Night presented by Baptist Health South Florida
On Friday, Sept. 17, Inter Miami will host the New York Red Bulls in the Club’s Kick Childhood Cancer Night presented by Baptist Health. The match will feature:
A commemorative Kick Childhood Cancer edition MLS adidas Nativo 21 Official Match Ball used in match play
Kick Childhood Cancer adidas Pre-Match Jerseys will be worn by players during pregame and warmups on game day as well as on the bench, side lines and during training and in community outreach efforts
Gold corner flags
Gold goal nets
Gold captain’s armbands
Gold ribbon jersey patches
PRO referees will sport wristbands featuring a Kick Childhood Cancer ribbon
Content to raise funds and awareness
An auction consisting of game-used, autographed jerseys and soccer balls from September matches and other items donated by Continental Tire will provide an additional fundraising opportunity later in the season.
Fans can purchase a special KCC edition Pre-Match adidas jerseys on MLSstore.com available now. MLS will donate all royalties it receives from Kick Childhood Cancer_ edition jerseys sold through official retail partners to Children’s Oncology Group (COG) through December 31, 2021. Fans may also donate directly to COG HERE.
Remembering Patricio Ojeda – Inter Miami’s Player and Captain
Inter Miami CF was able to fulfill a final wish for 15-year-old Inter Miami fan, Patricio Ojeda. Patricio was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and after a two-year battle, was given a short time to live. As a passionate fútbol and Inter Miami fan, Patricio’s final wish was to come to the DRV PNK Stadium and meet the Inter Miami players. Inter Miami was able to give Patricio and his family a day they would never forget. On July 9, 2021, Club signed Patricio as an official player for the day, with his jersey waiting for him in the locker room alongside his favorite players’ lockers – Gonzalo Higuaín and Blaise Matuidi. As he was too unwell to attend a game, an intrasquad scrimmage was organized in his honor and Patricio was made captain for the day. The players treated him as a member of the squad as he sat alongside Phil Neville on the team bench for the game. Inter Miami staff and players raised funds for Patricio’s family who was struggling with the financial burden of their son’s illness. Sadly, Patricio lost his battle on July 31, 2021.
A commemorative framed jersey of Patricio Ojeda, will be placed at DRV PNK Stadium to ensure he will always be a part of the Club. The framed jersey will be presented by the team at DRV PNK Stadium during pregame and the full story will be shown on the Club’s channels and in the stadium on matchday. This year’s Kick Childhood Cancer efforts are dedicated to Patricio.
Gift Bags, Message for the Children Receiving Treatment at Baptist Health’s Miami Cancer Institute – Pediatric Cancer Unit
In addition, Inter Miami CF worked alongside Club and Community partner Baptist Health to raise awareness and funds for Childhood Cancer. The Club delivered MLS WORKS co-branded gift bags to children receiving treatment at the Baptist Health’s Miami Cancer Institute – Pediatric Cancer Unit. A special message from the Inter Miami players was also shared with the children receiving treatment.
Appreciating the Heroes – Dr. Doured Daghistani and Dr. Matthew Hall
Inter Miami and Baptist Health South Florida selected two pediatric doctors to participate in a virtual jersey swap due to COVID-19 restrictions – Dr. Doured Daghistani and Dr. Matthew Hall swapped jerseys virtually with Gonzalo Higuaín and Victor Ulloa.
MLS WORKS, Continental Tires Efforts to Promote and Benefit Children’s Oncology Group
The Kick Childhood Cancer campaign will promote and benefit Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Foundation, 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. The Kick Childhood Cancer campaign has enabled COG 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. According to COG, MLS’ Kick Childhood Cancer campaign has helped to offset the costs of more than 33,000 clinical trial enrollments to-date, with an expected 40,000 to be enrolled by the end of 2021.
As part of this year’s campaign, MLS Clubs have created custom pajama bottoms to be distributed to local pediatric cancer patients as a token of comfort while they continue their journey in the fight against cancer. Continental Tire will also amplify campaign efforts with an inspirational Kick Childhood Cancer video series hosted by MLS player and childhood cancer survivor, Matt Lampson. The series will feature empowering stories from current and former patients, families, doctors, caretakers, and community members who aided children on their road to recovery.
Fans are encouraged to support the Kick Childhood Cancer campaign by tweeting inspirational messages with the hashtag #KickChildhoodCancer during the month of September. For every post featuring the #KickChildhoodCancer hashtag on Twitter from September 1-30, 2021, Continental Tire will donate $1 (up to a maximum of $50,000) to COG.
For more information on Kick Childhood Cancer, COG or other MLS WORKS initiatives, visit MLSsoccer.com/mlsworks.
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