SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC is joining the fight to #KickChildhoodCancer throughout September with a month-long campaign, headlined by a Blood & Bone Marrow drive presented by Bloodworks Northwest and Be The Match at The NINETY prior to Sounders FC’s match against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, September 28 (7:30 p.m. PT / JOEtv, ROOT SPORTS, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM). In the club’s continued efforts to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and treatment, Sounders FC is working together with MLS WORKS to support the league’s Kick Childhood Cancer initiative. Now in its third year, the league-wide childhood cancer awareness campaign continues its efforts to help find better cures for all types of childhood cancer. Fans interested in getting involved in the fight to #KickChildhoodCancer can find more information on how to join Sounders FC’s efforts via the following link: http://sndrs.com/q594.
Prior to Seattle’s match against the Chicago Fire on September 28, Sounders FC is teaming-up with Bloodworks Northwest and Be The Match to host a Blood & Bone Marrow Drive at The NINETY, Sounders FC's clubhouse space at its Pioneer Square headquarters. Space is limited and an appointment is required for those who want to participate. Donors who register to donate blood at the drive event receive one ticket to see Sounders FC play that evening at CenturyLink Field against the Chicago Fire, courtesy of Bloodworks Northwest. Tickets are non-transferrable, not redeemable for cash and cannot be substituted for any other match.
Appointments at the Blood & Bone Marrow Drive can be booked by calling 800-398-7888 or by visiting the following link: http://sndrs.com/p9vj. Complete information on the Sounders FC Blood & Bone Marrow Drive can be found via the following link: http://sndrs.com/abf8.
Each year, Bloodworks Northwest helps over 55,000 patients receive life-saving blood transfusions in the Pacific Northwest. Blood donations are used daily by patients undergoing surgery, cancer treatment, organ transplants, and trauma injuries and burns. A patient with a childhood cancer typically receives at least two blood products during treatment.
Be The Match will also be on site to encourage Sounders FC fans to join the donor registry. Their mission is to provide a matching donor for every patient in need and eliminate barriers to transplant. Be The Match, operated by the National Marrow Donor Program, connects patients with blood diseases to their life-saving marrow or stem cell transplant. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 44 who is in good health and committed to donating to a patient in need is encouraged to join the donor registry. More information on how to become a bone marrow donor can be found via the following link: http://sndrs.com/35fr.
Additionally, Sounders FC’s match against the Chicago Fire on September 28 is Childhood Cancer Awareness match. The club is pleased to welcome Zach Cezar as an Honorary Team Captain, joining Sounders FC’s captain to participate in the coin toss, as well as other pre-match ceremonies with the team. For more information on Honorary Team Captains as part of The Austen Everett Foundation, visit the following link: http://sndrs.com/v7hy.
On Sunday, September 25, The Austen Everett Foundation is hosting a private event at The NINETY to support Sounders FC in its road match at the LA Galaxy. The Austen Everett Foundation works to inspire, empower and improve the lives of kids battling cancer by “Uniting the Fight” of these extraordinary individuals with professional and collegiate athletic organizations. AEF families are getting a chance to connect and enjoy some fun activities outside of the hospital while they cheer on Sounders FC. More information on The Austen Everett Foundation can be found via the following link: http://sndrs.com/6mqy.
Seattle Children’s Hospital is also hosting its eighth-annual Run of Hope Seattle on Sunday, September 25 to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund (PBTRF). The special day of events brings together families and community to raise funds and awareness in support of pediatric brain tumor research at Seattle Children's Hospital. Register for the eighth-annual Run of Hope Seattle via the following link: http://sndrs.com/4kch.
Fans can help find a cure for every child with cancer by purchasing an exclusive Kick Childhood Cancer scarf at the CenturyLink Field and Downtown Pro Shop locations while supplies last. Proceeds go to The Austen Everett Foundation and Children’s Oncology Group.
Sounders FC players and staff are set to be at other events in the community throughout the month of September. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei is visiting with the children and families of Ronald McDonald House Charities on behalf of McDonald’s Restaurants of Western Washington this Tuesday, September 13. Additional events and appearances may be announced at a later date.
Coming off of a bye week from MLS action, Seattle Sounders FC (9-13-4, 31 points) returns to action this Saturday with a road match against Western Conference rival San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium (7:30 p.m. PT / JOEtv, Univision-Seattle, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM).
