Lady Flames partner with Austin Hatcher Foundation for annual Kickin' It For Kids With Cancer game
Children join the players on the field before the Lady Flames square off against Auburn Montgomery.
Courtesy of the Lee University Athletic website: goleeflames.com
Lee University faced off against the Auburn Montgomery Warhawks during their annual Kickin’ It For Kids With Cancer soccer game.
On Friday, Sept. 21, the annual game benefits the Austin Hatcher Foundation in Chattanooga, which provides therapeutic services to families with children who have cancer.
Austin Hatcher, the namesake and inspiration for the foundation, was born in 2006 and was diagnosed with pediatric cancer at eight weeks old. Hatcher tragically lost his life only a week later. To honor his memory, his family started the nonprofit to help other families living and loving a child with pediatric cancer.
The Austin Hatcher Foundation's goal, according to its mission statement, is “to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child’s quality of life through essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing throughout survivorship.”
The foundation offers an industrial arts education program for children battling cancer, diversionary therapy for children and their families and psycho-oncology programs.
Senior Lady Flame Mia Hollingsworth said the foundation has made a resounding impact on the greater Chattanooga area.
“The women’s soccer team invests in the Austin Hatcher foundation every year through fundraising, events, and spending time with families impacted by pediatric cancer,” Hollingsworth said. “While one of the goals is to raise money and awareness, our main aim is to raise hope for each of the families. By creating a fun environment during our ‘Kickin' It’ game, we are able to give the families a night away from their worries.”
For several weeks leading up to this event, the Lady Flames sold green T-shirts featuring the logo “Kickin’ It For Kids with Cancer” to promote the game, get fans involved and give the proceeds to the Austin Hatcher Foundation. These shirts were also available for purchase at the game.
While the game itself was intense heading into halftime, the focus was not necessarily geared towards the game, but rather the kids who came and supported.
Children receiving help from the Austin Hatcher Foundation were escorted and recognized on the field with the Lady Flames. They were brought once more onto the field during halftime.
Multiple kids suffering from pediatric cancer attended the game held in their honor, and many had the chance to score a goal on “Valor,” the Lee University mascot, during halftime of the match.
Lee student Gabby Rouse said she was moved by the children's enthusiasm and is proud to be apart of something so special at this school.
“I am so glad I went to this event,” Rouse said. “Seeing those children be recognized was precious, and I was so proud to be a Lee student where supporting this organization was important.”
As if the night were not special enough, the Lady Flames put on an offensive clinic and outscored the Warhawks by a score of 7-2 and are currently 5-2-1 on the season.
With such a great night for the Austin Hatcher Foundation, on top of a Lady Flames victory, it was safe to say everyone was a winner.
For more information on this foundation, visit their website. To view stats and more information on this game, visit the Lee Athletics analysis.
