2016 marked the 5th year of the Kickin' It Challenge, a tournament that raises money for breast cancer research that is then donated to the Susan G. K
2016 marked the 5th year of the Kickin’ It Challenge, a tournament that raises money for breast cancer research that is then donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the largest provider for breast cancer research in the world. Fundraising by the Kickin’ It Challenge has exceeded the $200,000 mark and is still counting. During this tournament, kids from all over San Diego unite in the fight against breast cancer wearing pink socks, ribbons, and jerseys to raise awareness and give back to their community.
In an effort to support the Kickin’ It Challenge 2016 fundraising, the Los Angeles Galaxy will be providing discounted tickets for all Kickin’ It Challenge participants and their families as the 5-time MLS Cup Champions take on current league leaders FC Dallas on October 23rd at the StubHub Center. The match kicks off at 1:00 pm and $10.00 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Kickin’ It Challenge. This generous offering from the Galaxy comes at the perfect time when United States Men’s National Team legend Landon Donovan has come out of retirement for the remainder of the current season. October 23 is the Galaxy’s final game of the regular season, and while Donovan may have his sights set on hoisting a record 6th MLS Cup, the future is not promised.
Soccer fans from around the country will be queuing up to watch what may be one of the last times (for real this time) Donovan will take the field in a competitive match for the Galaxy. The generosity of the Galaxy on this historic occasion just underscores the organization’s commitment to humanity, and reflects the importance of the cause championed by the Kickin’ It Challenge organization.
The Kickin’ It Challenge, hosted by Poway Vaqueros and founding partner soccerloco, fields teams from all around San Diego county, and has been a staple in the soccer community since its inception. The tournament has attracted thousands of players over the years and there will certainly be thousands more to come.
“Our Kickin’ It Challenge brings family and friends together for a fabulous weekend full of soccer fun, enthusiasm, learning and a chance to give back,” said BJ Kelly, founding director and auction chair. The chance to give back is more than donations but is also awareness.
“Our focus now includes the ever so important awareness Kickin’ It brings to the young players and their families. The sea of pink covers the field and the participation from the teams shows another power of pink—awareness. Our tournament has an impact on everyone that it touches,” said founding director, Susan Filippone.
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, and the Kickin’ It Challenge is a response to the many affected by breast cancer in the soccer community. “The tournament began as an effort to help members of our soccer community who were battling breast cancer,” said Pam Bickel, founder and president of the Kickin’ It Challenge. “It is deeply personal. Initially we were inspired to take action to help support the fight against this horrible disease when we lost a member of our community to breast cancer. No child should lose a mother this way and we won’t stop until a cure for breast cancer is found.”
Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for LA Galaxy vs FC Dallas to support the Kickin’ It Challenge and big farewell to one of the game’s greatest ever players can do so by visiting http://www.lagalaxy.com/tickets/kickin
