Resilience isn't just about bouncing back from adversity—it's about finding strength in the face of challenges and continuing forward, no matter the odds. For cancer survivors, resilience helps them handle the physical and emotional challenges that stick around even after treatment is over. At Cancer Kickers Soccer Club, this resilience is nurtured through community support and the powerful lessons that can be learned from soccer.
Cancer Kickers uses soccer's powerful team-based spirit to help children facing cancer find hope and strength. By bringing survivors together, Cancer Kickers helps build resilience through connection, support, and shared experiences—just like being part of a soccer team.
Teamwork and Connection: A Foundation for Resilience
At the heart of every soccer game is teamwork—the understanding that each player has a role to play, and success comes when everyone works together. Cancer Kickers operates on this same principle. The organization creates a supportive environment where no child or family has to face cancer alone. Instead, they are part of a global team, working together to overcome a common adversary.
Chris Clothier, co-founder of Cancer Kickers, reflects on the importance of this team mentality: "Resilience comes from knowing you're not alone. At Cancer Kickers, we encourage every child to see themselves as part of a team. Whether they're on the field or off, they know that there's a whole community standing beside them, helping them find strength in the toughest moments."
By fostering a sense of belonging, Cancer Kickers provides their teammates with a support system that encourages mental toughness and resilience. The knowledge that they are part of something bigger—a team that shares the same goals and struggles—empowers survivors to face their challenges with determination.
Overcoming Adversity: Lessons from the Game
Just as soccer players learn to face obstacles and setbacks during a match, pediatric cancer patients must navigate their own challenges in recovery. Soccer teaches players that even when the game doesn't go as planned, persistence and effort will ultimately lead to success. This mindset is crucial for cancer survivors, who often face setbacks on their path to healing.
For Cancer Kickers, this lesson of persistence is embedded in every aspect of the organization. The children who connect through Cancer Kickers are reminded that, like a difficult soccer match, the journey through recovery requires patience, determination, and the support of teammates who believe in them.
"When we talk to the kids and survivors, we remind them that cancer may be tough, but together, we're tougher," says Michelle Clothier, co-founder of Cancer Kickers. "It's not just about winning the game—it's about continuing to play, even when the odds feel stacked against you. That's where resilience really shines."
By applying the lessons of soccer to life after cancer, Cancer Kickers teammates learn to approach their recovery with a mindset of persistence and resilience. Whether it's finding the strength to get through another day of treatment or the courage to face the fear of recurrence, the skills learned through soccer's values help survivors push forward.
Resilience Through Community Support
Cancer Kickers' mission remains deeply rooted in the values of the game. Teamwork, perseverance, and community support are the cornerstones of resilience, and Cancer Kickers provides a space where children and families can experience these lessons firsthand.
Through its global community, Cancer Kickers offers survivors a sense of solidarity, reminding them that they are never alone in their fight. By connecting children from different parts of the world, the organization builds a network where teammates can lean on one another, drawing strength from their shared experiences. It's about the power of community. Together, survivors learn to face their challenges head-on, knowing that they have a team behind them every step of the way.