This month, Houston Dynamo FC, the Houston Dash and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have again teamed up to kick cancer, highlighted by the Club’s annual Soccer Kicks Cancer Weekend September 10 and 11.
Houston’s club and the world’s leader in cancer research and care are hosting a number of programs to recognize childhood cancer survivors with in-stadium activities taking place during the month, highlighted by Dynamo’s home match against their arch rivals Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. The Dash host NWSL newcomers Angel City FC on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.
“We are grateful to the Houston Dynamo for their continued support and efforts to raise awareness about childhood cancer,” said Richard Gorlick, M.D., division head and chair of Pediatrics at MD Anderson Cancer Center. “We look forward to a special night honoring our patients and their families.”
Prior to kickoff of their match, the Dynamo and Kansas City starters will be escorted onto the field by 22 pediatric cancer patients and siblings from MD Anderson, walking hand-in-hand onto the pitch in a show of mutual respect, strength and support. As the starters are introduced to the crowd inside the stadium that evening, the players’ traditional headshot photos will be replaced by “artist’s renderings” of each player, as drawn by patients from MD Anderson’s Arts in Medicine program and the Children’s Art Project.
“Soccer Kicks Cancer Weekend, and the entire month of September, is one of the most special times of the year for our club,” said the Club’s Senior Director of Community and Alumni Relations Valerie Holland. “The opportunity to work with our partners at MD Anderson to celebrate the strength and heroism of the young men and women undergoing treatment for pediatric cancer is incredibly fulfilling for our staff and players. We are proud to represent MD Anderson every time our teams take the field, and this month puts a special spotlight on that relationship.”
In late August, the Dynamo hosted a young cancer patient from MD Anderson named Sawyer for a team training session at Houston Sports Park. Sawyer signed an honorary contract with Dynamo general manager Pat Onstad making him an official member of the team. Sawyer will serve as honorary captain for the match against Sporting KC.
Dash goalkeeper coach Matt Lampson, himself a cancer survivor, hosts a pediatric cancer patient and their family at every home game through his own “Lampstrong” Foundation and will do so once again at the Dash game against Angel City on Sept. 11. Earlier that week, Lampson will join MD Anderson’s teen cancer patients for their monthly Impact meeting, to share his cancer journey.
Dynamo and Dash players, their family members, fans and Club staff will team up on Thursday, Sept. 15 to serve dinner to guests at the Ronald McDonald House, which provides a home away from home for families whose children are seriously ill and undergoing treatment in Houston, including at MD Anderson. The players and their families also will join patients and their families for a virtual arts and crafts session and a mini soccer clinic.
Later in the month, Dynamo and Dash players will join MD Anderson pediatric patients for an afternoon of virtual BINGO Monday, Sept. 26. The players will serve as “callers” for the games as patients enjoy a night of fun, games and prizes.
On Sept. 22, Dynamo Charities, the official 501(c)(3) non-profit arm of the Club, will attend the annual Heroes and Handbags luncheon supporting Heroes for Children, which provides immediate financial assistance to families with children battling cancer. Dynamo Charities will also take part in the Continental Tire Kick Childhood Cancer Challenge along with all other MLS teams, where fans will be encouraged to donate funds to support MD Anderson on behalf of the Club.
MD Anderson and the Dynamo joined forces in 2019 in pursuit of one goal: to end cancer, and the center’s iconic strike-through-cancer logo has adorned the front of the team’s jerseys for the last four seasons. It was the first cause-driven jersey sponsorship in Major League history, and in 2020 the partnership expanded to put MD Anderson’s logo on the Dash’s jerseys as well.
Each year, Dynamo and Dash fans have the opportunity to support MD Anderson's mission in various ways throughout the season, including volunteer opportunities, fundraising through events such as
MD Anderson’s annual Boot Walk To End Cancer® and through the purchase of individual match tickets. Fans can also donate to MD Anderson by rounding up their purchase at the Adidas Dynamo Team Store to the nearest dollar.
