University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Dedicate Game To Childhood Cancer Awareness
October 20, 2015 | Women's Soccer
The UNC women's soccer team will add an extra color to its Carolina Blue on Thursday when it hosts a Childhood Cancer Awareness Game on Thursday evening. The Tar Heels take on Notre Dame at 7 p.m. at Fetzer Field and fans are encouraged to add gold or yellow to their blue in support of the cause. Both teams will wear yellow bracelets and fans will receive yellow ribbons when they arrive at the game.
The Tar Heels are showing support for their friend Alex Ferm, a 7-year-old who loves playing soccer and is one of the team's biggest fans. In July of 2013, at age 5, Alex was diagnosed with t-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoblastic lymphoma. He has been in treatment at UNC ever since, but his end of chemo treatment day is quickly approaching and is scheduled for Nov. 10, 2015.
In his honor, the game will be directing awareness and fundraising efforts toward a foundation called Alex's Lemonade Stand. The mission of this organization, founded by 4-year-old Alexandra Scott, is “to raise money and awareness of childhood cancer causes, primarily research into new treatments and cures and also to encourage and empower others, especially children, to get involved and make a difference for children with cancer.”
To date Alex's Lemonade Stand has raised over $100 million and funded more than 500 research projects helping to find better treatments and cures. The organization also funds nursing and psychosocial grants to improve quality of life and care of children with cancer and their families.
For more information or to see how you can contribute please visit their website at www.alexslemonade.org. To be part of the fundraising efforts surrounding Thursday's game, click here.
The game is part of UNC's Carolina Dreams program, in which Tar Heel athletic teams partner with local organizations and non-profits to host and recognize “champions” and their families at home sporting events, providing an unforgettable experience for a child who has overcome or is fighting a great trial or adversity. In the process, Carolina Dreams strives to recognize and raise awareness of groups that are working to improve lives and bring about positive change in our community.
Add a little yellow or gold to your Carolina Blue and come cheer on the Tar Heels in support of this great cause!
