This year’s Cancer Awareness Games versus CR Kennedy will be played on the following dates

The Linn-Mar and Kennedy Girls Soccer Cancer Awareness Game, Kickin’ Cancer, started in 2009. A common desire to help those in need led the two teams to a shared fundraising effort to benefit those with cancer. Since that 2009 soccer season, members of the JV and Varsity soccer teams have raised more than $15,000 on behalf of organizations helping cancer patients in the greater Cedar Rapids area and surrounding communities, including the Iowa Breast Cancer Action Foundation, Gems of Hope, Especially for You, and the Hall Perrine Cancer Center.

In their annual quest to raise funds to help those touched by cancer, the soccer teams have developed a variety of funding activities. Each year Kickin’ Cancer team tshirts are designed and sold. Students secure financial support from individuals and businesses; hold bake sales, raffles, and other fundraisers; and donate the gate fee from their game. They also sell cancer awareness ribbons in each team’s school colors that are displayed on the fence surrounding the soccer fields. The ribbons are sold to “Remember the ones we have lost, honor those still fighting, and to celebrate the survivors!”

To ensure that this philanthropic tradition continues, the older players work to involve the younger players in the fundraising effort, creating a team attitude on the field and off.

During the last seven years, funds raised have provided counseling services for children who have a parent in treatment; transportation to and from treatments; gas cards; access to support groups and resource materials; needed nutritional supplements; and wigs and other medical equipment not covered by insurance.

While these two teams compete against each other on the soccer field, they are a shining example of the philanthropic spirit at its best.

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2009