Go 4 the Goal Pediatric Cancer Foundation is currently helping two families in Marlton and is hoping to start the Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer fundraiser with the Marlton Rec Council.
Whether a team raises $100 or $5,000, 100 percent of those funds stay in the community in which they are raised, the Go 4 the Goal website said.
“I remember a few years ago there was someone in Haddonfield with bone cancer, and we did the laces [fundraiser],” said Emma Sith, member of the Go 4 the Goal team. “Within two months, we made $5,200.”
According to Sith, the money is kept in a bank account for the family.
When the family being helped needs the funds, they file it with their social worker. The funds are then given directly to the family.
Most recently, Go 4 the Goal held the seventh Annual Richard’s River Run at the Cooper River on May 5.
Tommy Kennedy, a Cherokee High School student diagnosed with cancer, was the Courageous Champion for the run, along with a few other kids.
Kennedy was too sick to attend the event, but his father went in his place to accept the award for him, Sith said.
According to Sith, Kennedy has not been attending school due to his illness, but needed a laptop to continue his studies at home.
“We ordered the laptop for him on Friday and by Monday we delivered a MacBook Pro to him,” Sith said.
“We grant wishes immediately for these kids.”
A 4-year-old in Marlton, whom Sith did not name, is battling bone cancer and wished for Legos and a tablet, items the family couldn’t afford.
“Within four days, we had those items for her,” Sith said. Additionally, she noted younger children receive Kindle Fires, while children older than 10 receive iPads.
Sith mentioned the young girl’s older sister had to stop playing soccer due to her illness and the family’s schedule taking her sister to and from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“This is not easy on these families. They don’t get a break,” Sith said.
Recently, Sith approached the Evesham Township Council to pitch using Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer fundraiser, but has yet to hear back from the rec council to get the ball rolling.
Council member and rec council soccer commissioner Ken D’Andrea could not be reached for comment.
Additionally, she has a meeting planned with the Evesham Township School district to discuss a dress down day, where teachers and students will pay a dollar to dress down, wear baseball caps and be comfortable.
“It’s a way for the kids in the community to directly support someone from Marlton. It’s an easy thing to do. The shoe laces are $5, it’s easy it’s a pair of shoelaces,” Sith said.
“One hundred percent of all the money raised goes straight to these parents. It’s a fortune to take care of these kids and none of these parents are getting a break from this. It’s a huge expense.”
To learn more about Go 4 the Goal and how to start a fundraiser or donate money, visit www.go4thegoal.org.
