Soccer Kicks for Cancer

DAUGHTER'S ILLNESS GIVES VERMONT SOCCCER MOM VOICE STATEWIDE FOR NEW LEUKEMIA PROGRAM

Northfield , VT April 25, 2006 ---As 2005 drew to a close, Vicki Corson was one proud soccer mom. Her 13-year old daughter, Morgan, was not only a budding soccer star, but an A-student as well. In fact, Morgan's achievements on the soccer field and in the classroom at Northfield Middle School had earned her recognition from the Women's Sports Foundation as Vermont 's Sports Girl of 2005.

Just weeks later, life took a dramatic and frightening turn. On January 13, 2006 Morgan was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and within days was undergoing chemotherapy treatments at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital in New Hampshire .

Soccer would have to wait.

Not quite. Although Morgan's treatments have cost her the stamina to play competitive soccer, the sport still plays a significant role in her life. It's a role that will grow even more meaningful in the weeks ahead.

The reason: an innovative program from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society called Soccer Kicks For Cancer. The program, partnership between the Society, U.S. Youth Soccer and the U.S. National Soccer Team Player's Association, combines soccer skills training with fundraising to help find a cure for leukemia, which causes more deaths among children and young people under the age of 20 than any other form of cancer.

Along with other coaches and players from the Dynamos Soccer Club in Northfield leading the way, Corson plans to introduce Soccer Kicks For Cancer to Vermont with Morgan at her side during a special kickoff event on Sunday, April 30 (2-4 p.m. EDT) on Howard Field at Norwich University in Northfield . Along with players from Norwich University 's men's and women's team, they'll do skill drills or “touches” that are part of the fundraising element of the Soccer Kicks For Cancer program. The goal is to challenge youth soccer clubs throughout the state to join the program and assist in raising money for medical research and patient services provided by the Society.

“Soccer has ruled our lives since Morgan was a third-grader, so when she was diagnosed with leukemia, it strengthened my resolve to push a little harder to get our club to launch the program in Vermont,” said Corson, a single mother of three who works for the Vermont State Employees Credit Union. “Youth soccer is an integral part of life for hundreds of families in this state, so Soccer Kicks is an ideal way for the youth soccer community to fight a disease with a devastating impact on youngsters and their families.”

Although Morgan's playing career has been temporarily sidetracked, she's still getting on the field, helping the youngest players with the Capital Soccer Club of Montpelier learn the game. Introducing kids to soccer comes quite naturally for Morgan, who donated her $250 Sports Girl award to the Dynamos for club scholarships that would enable kids from financially strapped families to play organized soccer.

“Soccer was love-at-first-kick for Morgan, so it's really hard on her emotionally to watch from the sidelines,” said Corson, whose son, Kyle, plays on the under-12 Dynamos team she coaches. “Even as sick as she is, she's still giving back.”

By staying connected to soccer while undergoing treatments, Morgan is also able to bring the kids and their families a greater understanding of leukemia. That, and promoting the importance of leukemia research is precisely what has inspired mother and daughter to bring Soccer Kicks For Cancer to Vermont.

It's an objective shared by some of the country's biggest names in soccer, among them Landon Donovan and Taylor Twellman, candidates for the 2006 U.S. Men's World Cup team, who unselfishly volunteer to support the soccer initiatives of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Donovan gave of his time to star in the Society's public service announcements that will air frequently during televised matches leading up to and during World Cup competition. Twellman, meanwhile, has conducted several Soccer Kicks For Cancer clinics—the leading prizes awarded to top state and regional fundraising teams.

Soccer Kicks For Cancer provides coaches and youth soccer players with tools they need to improve their game, including an exclusive training DVD featuring instruction from members of the U.S. National Soccer Team and prominent pro and college coaches. The DVD outlines an easy-to-follow program of skill development drills that kids can do on their own or during practice. Each participating player gets pledges from family, friends and neighbors for every “touch” of a soccer ball (dribble, pass or juggle) with the goal being to complete 2000 touches over a 10-day period.

Participants can also earn incentives such as training balls, warm-up suits and a soccer ball signed by a U.S. National Team star or legend.. The top fundraising team in the state will earn a training clinic conducted by a member of the U.S. national team. In addition, each fundraising club or town soccer program will receive 10% of its fundraising total for scholarships. That money will come from the Todd Smith Leukemia Scholarship Fund, which honors the late Todd Smith, a former player and pro soccer executive, who helped develop Soccer Kicks For Cancer prior to his death from leukemia in 2003.

For more information about the soccer Kicks For Cancer program, call 888-HELP-LLS or visit www.soccerkicksforcancer.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Vicki Corson (802)485-3909 or Tom Merritt(845) 534-0363

Morgan's Webpage: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/morganelizabeth

Page Revised: 28-May-2008