Soccer For Hope is a non-profit organization founded by Oliver and Jamie Wyss in 1998. Oliver is a former professional soccer player and survivor of a
Soccer For Hope is a non-profit organization founded by Oliver and Jamie Wyss in 1998. Oliver is a former professional soccer player and survivor of a non-cancerous illness, Aplastic Anemia, thanks to a bone marrow transplant. Oliver also doubles as Head Coach and General Manager for the Orange County Blues Football Club.
The Soccer For Hope organization has been driven by their goal to give back to the many caretakers who saved his life, and to raise desperately needed funds and awareness in the soccer community about the needs of children with life threatening diseases. Years later their own young children, Hudson and Abella, were BOTH diagnosed with very rare cancerous brain tumors. After battling multiple recurrences and secondary cancers both children lost their lives; Hudson at age 3 and Abella at age 11. These precious children have faced an unimaginable journey and all along have taught us the definition of true courage and bravery by accepting their challenges. In the 18 years since the Foundation’s inception, they have raised and donated over 2.5 million dollars to fund research that will help combat child cancer.
Recently Dr. Joshua Schiffman, who works at a Soccer For Hope funded lab at the University of Utah, has made tremendous strides in his work due to a breakthrough from a rather unlikely source. Dr Schiffman co-authored a research paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association about the potential mechanisms we can synthesize from the blood of elephants that could lead to extremely effective cancer fighting medicine. This paper in the prestigious medical journal has sparked attention from news outlets from around the country.
Wondering how you can contribute to this worthy cause? Visit the Soccer For Hope website for additional information! On October 24th, the foundation is hosting its annual Evening For Hope event. All proceeds from this event will benefit desperately needed childhood cancer research & family support. They are looking for unique items for our Silent & Live Auction and would truly appreciate if you could support the cause by donating.
This breakthrough continues to fuel hope that one day a cure for child cancer will be found! The success in the laboratory mirrors the success Oliver has had with the OC Blues where he and his staff were able to turn a team who finished second-from-bottom the year before he arrived, to Western Conference Champions in his year with the team!
For more information on Soccer For Hope please contact Jamie and Oliver Wyss at [email protected]
