Childhood Cancer Awareness month kicks off on Thursday, and Major League Soccer is once again lending its support to the cause.
MLS’s league-wide Kick Childhood Cancer campaign is back for its second year, and in 2016 the initiative aligns with Scarftember, a social campaign launched last year for fans to show support of their MLS team.
Designer and illustrator Sophia Chang has created a Kick Childhood Cancer scarf for each MLS club with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Oncology Group, a partner of MLS WORKS – the league’s community outreach initiative – and one of the leading childhood cancer experts in the world.
Each scarf will include patterned graphics promoting the fight against cancer and soccer culture on one side, and club markings on the other. They are available for purchase at MLSstore.com and select in-stadium retailers.
In addition to Scarftember, the league is proud to back the following initiatives as part of the Kick Childhood Cancer campaign:
- Social media: Fans are encourage to post images on Instagram and Twitter using the #ScarvesUp hashtag. For each post submitted with the hashtag, MLS will donate $1 to Children’s Oncology Group.
- Snapchat: Each club will have its own Snapchat activation around the games. There will be Scarftember Snapchat filters at each stadium corresponding with those dates.
- Club initiatives: MLS clubs will recognize and honor children fighting cancer and local organizations working to find a cure.
- Pregame attire: 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.
- Equipment: Each match in September will also feature gold soccer nets and corner flags to promote awareness of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
- Game-worn memorabilia: Fans will 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, Sept. 23 through Monday, Oct. 3.
