Concord-Carlisle and surrounding communities came together on September 28th for the 18th annual Lois Wells Memorial “Kicks for Cancer.” Founded in 2007, and hosted by the Friends of CCHS Men’s Soccer, the event raises funds to support research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute into the early detection of ovarian cancer. Buoyed by phenomenal weather on the day of the event and a tremendous outpouring of community support, this year’s event is expected to push Kicks for Cancer’s total donations since 2007 over the $1 million mark.
Since 2007, the event has grown from one soccer game between Concord-Carlisle and Boston Latin to a week of events. In addition to a full-day of 16 soccer games, throughout the week participation now includes Cross Country (K’s for Cancer), Golf (Links for Cancer), Volleyball (Digs for Cancer), Ultimate Frisbee (Flicks for Cancer), Cheer (Poms for Cancer), Field Hockey (Sticks for Cancer), Football (Tackles for Cancer), Key Club (Keys for Cancer), Ping Pong (Loops for Cancer), and student performed live music (guitar “Picks for Cancer”).
The broad community support started this year as soon as the Concord-Carlisle school year launched, with Kicks for Cancer lawn signs dotting yards in Concord, Carlisle, as well as the adjoining towns of Sudbury, Lincoln, Bedford and beyond. Concord and Carlisle students and faculty support again showed their spirit on the day before the event, when the region’s schools “went pink” with almost all donning pink gear – particularly the iconic pink Kicks for Cancer jersey – to kick off the weekend. Many local businesses also joined in the effort this September, fostering the event’s message of “One Community, One Goal” by hosting events and raising funds themselves.
Trish Siefer, chair of Kicks for Cancer, noted the remarkable community support, underscoring the event’s impact. The committee expects its donation this year – directed to research on the early detection of ovarian cancer – to be its biggest yet.
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