Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual observance held in the month of October. It is intended to raise awareness about breast cancer, the second most common cancer among women in the United States. This breast cancer awareness month campaign supports bringing it to the front of focus during the month of October.
Our teams across the country have been getting behind the awareness and making their commitment to showing their PINK during the October month.
Thank you to all our teams for getting behind such a noble cause.
Earlier this year, one of our parents went in for a routine mammogram and was told everything was normal. Several months later, she conducted a self-examination and became concerned something was not right. She went back to the doctor and in July was told she had been diagnosed with having Breast Cancer. A few weeks after, she shared this information with the team manager, because she wanted the coaching staff to be aware in case there was any change in behavior with her son. Our parent, who we shall call Ann, out of respect for the family’s privacy, has been a medical social worker for 25 years and was now addressing some of the very same issues as her clients.The team manager asked permission to share this information with the other parents on the team in order to mobilize resources and support the family, who has been with AYSO United for more than four years. “Ann” was grateful for the offer, but wanted to make sure her condition was not taking away from her son’s final year playing club soccer. Ann knew that playing club soccer for AYSO United was a healthy way for the family to get through the surgeries, chemo-therapy and radiation treatment she would be facing in the coming months.With her son and husband’s blessing, the information was shared and the response was immediate. Parents were providing meals for the family, offering rides to medical appointments and asking to sit with Ann during some of her procedures. The parents wanted to do more to support Ann and bring awareness, so they approached her about having the team wear arm bands. Ann agreed and so they went to the team, who unanimously voted to wear the bands this season in support of Ann and their teammate.This past weekend was the AYSO United AZ Cup Presented by Superstition Spring Lexus and it was the last event before Ann would start her chemo-therapy. Ann wanted the experience to be a normal as possible before the next five months of treatment and was so excited when the 2005 boys won the tournament.Ann said the main reason they came and stayed with AYSO United was the sense of community that she and her family felt and continue to feel. Ann’s message to everyone is to please get yourself checked on an annual basis, but to always be checking yourself to be absolutely sure.
On behalf of AYSO United we want to say thank you to Ann for sharing her story and to let her know we are praying for you and lifting you up on your journey.
Have your team/players picture added to our wall by sending it to AnthonyFulton@AYSOUnited.org
