Compete for a Cause gear available online!
We’re excited to announce that, for a second year in a row, you’ll be able to purchase Compete for a Cause gear online, all year long! We’ll be adding our new color to our new products – including hoodies, men’s and women’s cut dri-fit and more! Thanks to our partners at Sports Stop, you’ll be able to shop our “Compete for a Cause” store as soon as all our product information has been updated. We’ll update this site and send out link information as soon as this goes “live”.
Compete for a Cause exceeds goal, raises $51k to support childhood cancer research
With the support of six area communities, a record-setting silent auction, the 2nd annual 5k Fun Run, generous sponsors and more, we are humbled and truly blessed to announce that the Compete for a Cause 2017 campaign raised just over $51,000 in support of childhood cancer research and treatment.
On Saturday, Sept.16, the communities of Haslett, Williamston, Lansing Catholic, Lansing Christian, Mason and Okemos came together to honor those who have been affected by cancer and cheer on their soccer teams at the 6th Annual Compete for a Cause games. Simply an idea six years ago, Compete for a Cause has grown into a Lansing-area event that, with this year’s total, has raised more than $125,000 to help better the lives of children and families in the Lansing area and across the country.
Locally, proceeds have equipped the MSU Pediatric Oncology Clinic with IPads in each patient room, new exam tables, MSU themed pictures, paint, and a “Spartans Will” wall, a gong for patients to ring after completing treatment milestones, bookshelves, a “tree of life” painting, digital frames, stools, and much, much more. Nationally, more than $40,000 has been donated to St. Baldrick’s, the largest provider of grants to fund childhood cancer research.
The realities of childhood cancer are daunting. Worldwide, 300,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. In the U.S., more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease – more than AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and diabetes combined. Less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget is solely dedicated to childhood cancer research. And although many adult cancers can be diagnosed early, 80% of children diagnosed have already had their cancer spread to other areas of the body.
Statistics like these inspire us to continue our efforts next year, and for years to come, to raise awareness and the vital funds to help our kids fight this awful disease. Check back often to learn more as we plan for 2018.
New therapy for kids with leukemia receives FDA approval
Yesterday, the FDA approved the first gene therapy available in the United States, CAR T cell therapy, for kids with leukemia. Read the announcement here.
This new therapy was developed through years of research by the Pediatric Cancer Dream Team and Dr. Stephan Grupp of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, supported since 2013 jointly by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Stand Up to Cancer.
Compete for a Cause has been donating half of our annual proceeds for the last three years to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation supporting childhood cancer research.
This is a big win for childhood cancer and shows that together we can make a positive difference in the lives of children battling cancer.
We thank you. Your support of Compete for a Cause and in turn our support of St. Baldrick’s helped make this encouraging step in our fight against childhood cancer possible. The timing couldn’t be better as we get ready to kick off our 2017 Compete for a Cause events. Be sure to spread the word, sign up for the 5k run/walk, order your t-shirt, and join us in filling the stands on Sept. 16 as we come together to fuel the steps to come!
Order your 2017 Compete for a Cause T-shirts now!
In addition to filling the stands as a show of support, your 2017 Compete for a Cause t-shirt grants you access to the soccer games for free. Order yours today!
We are proud and humbled to announce the positive results of the 2016 Compete for a Cause fall events
This year brought in the Haslett and Williamston communities through satellite games, a Mason volleyball invitational, a Mason home football game against DeWitt, and our first annual 5k. Capping the week’s activities was a truly amazing evening of Okemos vs. Mason soccer with an estimated crowd of 2,000. Over 1,000 t-shirts were sold, filling the stadium with gold ribbon awareness and in the weeks since we’ve spotted them throughout our communities, continuing to spread our message.
Along with your donation, we were able to raise $37,000 to support the fight against childhood cancer! St. Baldrick’s Foundation (nationally) and the MSU Pediatric Oncology Clinic (locally) will receive the proceeds from this year’s events.
Childhood cancer statistics are startling:
Before the age of 20, approximately 1 of every 285 children in the United States will have cancer.- Curing childhood cancer is the equivalent of curing breast cancer in terms of productive life years saved.
- Only 4% of U.S. federal funding is solely dedicated to childhood cancer research.
- More than 95% of childhood cancer survivors will develop chronic health problems.
Unfortunately with statistics like these, it is inevitable that more children in our community will be affected by cancer. Your support will help these children, the families of these children, as well as fund research to improve treatments and cures.
Our communities have come together and shown us tremendous support, inspiring Compete for a Cause to continue our efforts next year, and for years to come, to raise awareness and the vital funds to help our kids and our communities fight this awful disease.
Sincerely,
The Compete for a Cause Planning Committee
Donna D’Angelo, Lisa Dippel, Pamela Duren & Kevin Gunns
In the books
The 5th Annual Compete for a Cause was an amazing success and we wish to thank everyone who sponsored, donated, volunteered, or attended this year’s events.
We’ll announce the results of our efforts to fight childhood cancer, highlight game results and share photos from all the activities in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned as we start now to plan for Compete for a Cause 2017!
Join us to make a difference for children battling cancer
2016 is looking to be the best year yet!
The 5th Annual Compete for a Cause game will be held on Sept. 17.
This year we’re lining up a whole week’s worth of events, however, starting with a ceremonial start in Mason on Saturday, Sept. 10.
The Mason volleyball team has a huge invitational on the 10th in Mason, a home football game on the 16th against Dewitt, and we plan to have a 5k and other run-related events on the morning of the 17th.
Watch for more information as events are added to the schedule.
