Sports
More than a Soccer Club
The Prince William Soccer Organization has partnered with Sentara Hospital to promote breast cancer awareness.
“More than a soccer club.” The motto for the Prince William Soccer Inc. which has taken form with their newest project: tackling cancer.
PWSI has asked its teams to wear pink wristbands in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“We were approached with the idea by our sponsors, Sentara Healthcare, this summer. We thought it promoted a good cause and agreed to do it,” said PWSI Executive Director Mike Yeatts.
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The soccer organization has helped raise awareness on the issue within the club and community.
Breast cancer is an issue that predominately affects woman. According to the American Cancer Society, there are 230,480 new cases each year and on average 39,520 women die from the disease.
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“This is not only raising awareness, but it shows our dedication to our soccer mom goes beyond the game of soccer,” said Yeatts.
The disease has personally affected mothers within the club. “We’ve had several mothers in our club who have battled the disease and survived,” added Yeatts.
The response from the club as a whole has been great.
"Players and parents have been supportive of the idea and enjoy seeing their kids representing a positive cause." said PWSI soccer manager Jenny Clegg.
This is one of the many community service the club has undertaken.
Currently, the organization is holding a food drive for the ACTS Food Pantry, which recently had to close its doors temporarily due to a lack of food—a first since the economic downturn.
In the past, they have partnered with the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Passback program. They have also held ACTS coat drives, SERVE food drives, and collected money for the Red Cross Katrina Fund.
In 2009, they held an adult tournament, in junction with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, honoring club members who have battled cancer.
“As our motto goes, we are more than a soccer club. We are always looking to give back to the community,” said Yeatts.
The small action of these youth teams represent a cause that is greater than them, but can be achieved through awareness and action.
For more information on the soccer club, go to www.pwsi.org.
