BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that the club will partner with Carry On to present the Fourth Annual Kicks 4 Cancer 3v3 Soccer Tournament, taking place on Saturday, July 8 at Olympic Park in Schaumburg, IL.
The Kicks 4 Cancer tournament is run and organized by Carry On, a non-profit organization created to raise significant funds to support the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation and to provide the best charity 3v3 soccer tournament in the Chicago area. Carry On's management consists of individuals who have all been affected by cancer in some way, and therefore understand the need to support Bear Necessities and its goal to fight cancer.
As part of its commitment to the Kicks 4 Cancer Tournament, the Fire will bring its interactive, mobile soccer festival - the F.I.R.E. (Fan Interactive Recreational Experience) Express - to the event, provide tournament participants the chance to purchase discounted tickets to the Fire's July 29 match against the Columbus Crew, donate several items for the event's silent auction and assist Carry On with promotional efforts on behalf of the tournament.
"We are thrilled that the Chicago Fire has joined us in what we believe to be Chicago's premier charity 3v3 soccer tournament," said Ryan Bradley, President & CEO of Carry On, Inc. "The Fire has taken a great interest in helping this worthwhile cause through their promotional efforts and the fan-friendly activities of the Chicago F.I.R.E. Express on-site at the tournament."
Soccer-playing youths ages 8-15 are joining Carry On this summer to help raise funds in the fight against pediatric cancer. The cost for each five-player team is $100, with a minimum of three games guaranteed for each team. All net proceeds go to support the efforts of the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The event website at www.kicks4cancer.org contains additional details on the festivities.
"This year, it is estimated that pediatric cancer will affect over 12,500 children and their families and 2,300 children and adolescents will die from this terrible disease," said Carry On volunteer Steve Scherrer. "Looking at these numbers and realizing that this comes out to over six children every day, it truly brings a purpose to what Kicks 4 Cancer and Bear Necessities is all about."
Co-founders Steve Scherrer and Mark Groenke, along with Bradley, played together for years on Crystal Lake, IL soccer teams both in high school and college. After they became successful in their professional endeavors, they decided to give back to the community. Along with the hard work of the fourth co-founder, Paul Broderick, they started the tournament to raise money to fight pediatric cancer in honor of all of their friends and family who have been affected by this disease and have provided them inspiration along the way.
For more information on the Fourth Annual Kicks 4 Cancer 3v3 Soccer Tournament, including how to register, please visit www.kicks4cancer.org.
