.png)
LOS ANGELES---For the sneakerheads in the crowd at tonight’s LA Galaxy game against Houston Dynamo, you might’ve noticed something different.
As LA Galaxy’s lineup walked out, they were donning some boots that can’t be had at your Footlocker. Rocking marker covered custom cleats, alongside the team were pediatric cancer outpatients from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Their shoe game had gotten a major upgrade.
Photos above taken from LA Galaxy Foundation's Instagram.
And while this article isn’t about whatever’s on the catwalk today, the stylistic change in the team’s footwear has some more substance to it than pure aesthetics.
The fashion stunt is part of a partnership with Adidas, as part of Major League Soccer’s Kick Childhood Cancer campaign. The club had their first-ever Boot Making Lab at Dignity Health Sports Park, where the patients were partnered with first-team players and coaches to decorate a select set of boots and shoes.
The patients were then able to attend the match with the LA Galaxy Foundation, in tandem with the Community Partner, the Jessie Reese Foundation: Never Ever Give Up. The kicks were worn by the players during their training sessions this week and for the team’s official Kick Childhood Cancer match today, September 2, 2023. The shoes will then be auctioned off, with all proceeds going directly to the Children’s Hospital.
At halftime, the kids were then honored as the club’s “Heroes of the Match”, participating in the “Mascot Scramble,” presented by Kinecta and played a mini soccer game against mascots Bailey, Chuck, Kingston, Sparky, Toro, Stryker, Wild Wing, Twizzle, and Fuego. In this sportswriter’s humble opinion, the kids won by a landslide.
Kick Childhood Cancer (KCC) is on its 10th annual run, raising awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment. To celebrate its decade milestone, Major League Soccer and Continental Tire have pledged to donate more than $100,000 to Children’s Oncology Group (COG).
For MLS, the issue is of the utmost importance. Forty children and adolescents are diagnosed daily with cancer. Out of every five, one dies.
But the entire league is on the job. With their help and LA Galaxy’s contribution, KCC has enabled COG to strengthen their research efforts in all aspects of pediatric cancers, including Project: EveryChild, a project that aims to capture the biology and outcome data of every child diagnosed with cancer.
Beyond the stadium, the jerseys, and the championships—sports and everything associated with it are trying to sell the hope that dreams can come true. Tonight, LA Galaxy’s dream is fighting pediatric cancer, and they’re doing more than wishing on a shooting star to make it happen.
Photo and Video Credit: Akinty Carter
Comments