FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution will continue its partnership with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and We Got Soccer this season, with two marquee breast cancer awareness events planned in conjunction with Revolution games at Gillette Stadium.
The partnership between the Revolution, the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and We Got Soccer aims to increase awareness about all cancers, including breast cancer, specifically among young adults through special sections and activations at Revolution matches.
“The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and We Got Soccer have an outstanding partnership in place, and we feel fortunate that we’re able to further the partnership to expand their messaging and fundraising, and to help raise awareness about cancers,” Revolution Vice President of Business Development Craig Tornberg said. “We began this relationship last season and not only saw great success, but also a real compassion from our fans for some local patients we were able to highlight and support.”
The partnership will kick off on Saturday, June 30, when the Revs host Seattle Sounders FC at Gillette Stadium. More than 600 tickets will be in use that game by a trio of groups affected by cancers, creating a substantial “pink” section at Gillette Stadium.
Section 113 will be dedicated to “Linda’s Journey.” Linda Khang is a 16-year-old sophomore at Brockton High School who was diagnosed with Philadelphia Chromosome Acute Lymphoblast Leukemia two days after one of her good friends, Samantha Prescott – whom the Revs recognized last year in conjunction with Making Strides – was laid to rest after a drawn-out battle with an incurable brain tumor.
Khang’s family formed “Linda’s Journey” to highlight the drive Linda has had watching one of her friends battle cancer before learning of her own diagnosis and resulting treatments. We Got Soccer donated more than 200 tickets to Saturday’s match to “Linda’s Journey,” which then sold them to supporters as a fundraiser to help displace the costs of Khang’s care and treatment.
Sam Prescott Scholarship Fund, the scholarship fund set up by Stars of Mass soccer club to preserve Prescott’s legacy, will also fundraise by selling another block of more than 200 tickets. One hundred percent of the proceeds of the ticket-sale fundraisers will go to the various fundraising groups, and all fans who purchase special tickets through the fundraising efforts will have the option of wearing specially-designed pink t-shirts.
Additionally, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer will recognize more than 200 Pacesetters and survivors, who will also attend the game against the Sounders.
"The American Cancer Society is grateful for the opportunity to team with the Revolution, We Got Soccer and the passionate sports fans of New England to raise awareness about our Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks and the fight to end breast cancer," said Don Gudaitis, CEO of the American Cancer Society's New England Division. "Thanks to our many volunteers, sponsors and supporters, the funds raised through Making Strides have helped enable 2.6 million breast cancer survivors celebrate another birthday this year."
On October 20, the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and We Got Soccer will return as the Revolution stages its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night in conjunction with the league’s national platform supported by MLS W.O.R.K.S. and the other MLS clubs.
Again, a special section will be dedicated to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, while We Got Soccer and the Revolution will donate unique and one-of-a-kind items for raffles and auctions on the Gillette Stadium concourse and online after the game, with all proceeds going to Making Strides.
Survivors and volunteers alike will be part of the pregame festivities.
“Our primary goal as a Flagship Sponsor of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is to create awareness about the battle against all cancers in the minds and hearts of all soccer crazy kids,” We Got Soccer President Michael O’Connor said. “We’re fortunate that our relationship with the New England Revolution provides a soccer stage where we can begin to create young advocates in the battle against cancer.”
Past year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Nights have featured pink in-game accoutrements, including pink-accented adidas game balls, field-level accents and uniform accessories.
Additionally, selected walkers who participated and fundraised in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Boston on Sunday, October 14, will also be acknowledged, both pregame and through on-field recognitions during the match.
For more information on how you can help the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, visit makingstrides.acsevents.org.
