LOS ANGELES (Friday, Sept. 1, 2023) – In partnership with adidas, the LA Galaxy hosted pediatric cancer patients from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles this month as part of Major League Soccer’s Kick Childhood Cancer (KCC) campaign for the club’s first-ever Boot Making Lab, presented by adidas, at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The youth were partnered with LA Galaxy first-team players and coaches to decorate a select set of boots and shoes. In celebration of these newly designed boots/shoes, the boots/shoes will be worn by the players and coaches during training sessions this week and on Saturday, Sept. 2 for the official LA Galaxy Kick Childhood Cancer theme night match. The decorated player boots will be auctioned off after the Sept. 2 game, with all proceeds directly benefiting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. During the KCC Boot Making Lab, the youth patients and their families were invited to watch a closed-door first team training session, followed by a tour of Dignity Health Sports Park. The group also enjoyed lunch and ice cream courtesy of Kinecta Federal Credit Union.
The participating patients will also be in attendance for the LA Galaxy’s Kick Childhood Cancer match, where they will have the opportunity to see Galaxy players wear their designs on the pitch. Additionally, the youth will be honored as the club’s “Heroes of the Match” during halftime of the Sept. 2 match and will also participate in the “Mascot Scramble”, where they will play a mini soccer game against the various mascots from multiple Los Angeles sports teams.
MLS, MLS WORKS – the League’s social responsibility platform – all MLS clubs and Continental Tire are teaming up during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with the 10th annual Kick Childhood Cancer campaign to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment.
Throughout the month of September, MLS, its clubs and players will drive awareness of the campaign through in-stadium activations, League social and digital channels, and content on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Highlighted by the internationally recognized gold color for childhood cancer, MLS Kick Childhood Cancer matches will feature:
- A commemorative edition adidas 2023 MLS WORKS Kick Childhood Cancer Official Match Ball will be used in match play
- 2023 Kick Childhood Cancer adidas pre-match tops will be worn by players during pregame and warmups om game day as well as on the bench, sidelines and during training and in community outreach efforts
- Gold corner flags, goal nets, and captain’s armbands
- Gold ribbon jersey patches
- PRO referees will sport wristbands featuring a Kick Childhood Cancer ribbon
Fans can purchase Marvel inspired 2023 MLS Kick Childhood Cancer adidas Pre-Match Tops on MLSstore.com. MLS will donate all wholesale royalties from the KCC adidas Pre-Match Tops to Children’s Oncology Group (COG) through December 31, 2023.
