There's sure to be plenty of goals scored Saturday at Coquitlam Town Centre Park, but none more important than the one set out by organizers of the Kick for a Cure.
"I think we're going to raise the most we've ever raised this year," said Gloria Cuccione, executive director of the Michael Cuccione Foundation.
Since Kick for a Cure began in 2007, more than $300,000 has been raised for the foundation dedicated to providing funds for childhood cancer research and supporting children along with their families through such adversity.
"Awareness is equally important to the money we raise. Some people don't even realize that babies and children are losing their lives to cancer," said Cuccione, whose son Michael died at 16 following a car accident after beating cancer twice.
Hundreds of children and adults will take part in Saturday's six-on-six soccer tournament, with a free soccer clinic also being offered to youngsters.
But Saturday's activities won't just be limited to the soccer pitch. There will also be a demonstration from Canadian Border Services detection dogs, the Canadian Tire Jump Start family fun zone, entertainment all day, games for the kids and refreshments for all ages.
There will also be a visit from members of the Vancouver Whitecaps. Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi and club ambassador Carl Valentine will be joined by a member of this year's team to take part in this year's soccerfest.
"There is something for everybody," said Cuccione.
The first tournament took place in 2007 in Port Moody and featured only a handful of six-member co-ed teams made up of primarily border services workers with a few members of the community. Since that time the event has grown by leaps and bounds and in 2011 Kick for a Cure moved to Coquitlam Town Centre Park to help accommodate the growing number of participants, events and supporters.
For more information visit www.kickforacure.ca.
