FC Cincinnati was proud to support MLS Works Kick Childhood Cancer Month in September with various activations, visits and acts.
The month was kicked off with FCC’s September 2 match with Orlando City SC, where The Orange and Blue donned new Kick Childhood Cancer pre-match tops and yellow ribbon patches on their kits. FC Cincinnati staff and fans also wore the yellow ribbons supporting the cause. The match also featured gold netting installed in each goal and gold corner flags to further cement the cause’s support.
The Grassroots marketing team organized a letter-writing station at Washington Park during the Pre-Match Party for fans to handwrite their well wishes and support patients with pediatric cancer and their families. Club mascot Gary the Lion and members of the Street Team ultimately hand-delivered those letters to Ronald McDonald House patients.
Children involved with The Cure Starts Now, The Dragonfly Foundation and Ronald McDonald House escorted FCC and Orlando City SC players to the pitch as walk-out kids before the match. Marley Johns, a pediatric cancer patient and fan of the Orange and Blue since the beginning, became the first child in FCC history to pull the sword during our pre-match Sword Ritual. Max Valentine, a local pediatric cancer patient, and his family also attended the match and delivered the game ball prior to the match. Scarfs, pre-match tops, and other KCC merchandise were also for sale at the team store in TQL Stadium with proceeds benefiting our four pediatric cancer partner organizations, Cancer Free Kids, The Cure Starts Now, The Dragonfly Foundation, and Ronald McDonald House.
Finally, families of pediatric cancer patients and survivors were invited out to Mercy Health Training Center, where they watched training and met with FCC players and coaches.
For more information on the MLS wide Kick Childhood Cancer initiative, click here.
