Our History and Focus
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Since 2007, Kicks for Cancer has brought the community together to raise awareness and funds to support women's cancer research, with a particular focus on early detection of ovarian cancer. The event is hosted by the Friends of CCHS Men’s Soccer and is run entirely by volunteers.
Over the years, the event has grown to include participation by several other sports beyond soccer, as well as other activity groups at Concord-Carlisle High School. Each year, participation by businesses throughout Concord, Carlisle and beyond has grown as the community comes together to "Paint the Town Pink & Teal". The weekend caps off with the Mighty Moose 5K fun run, founded in 2018. This community-wide commitment is having an impact: collectively, these events have contributed over $2 million to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital since 2007. |
History of Kicks for Cancer
by Coach Steve Wells
Kicks for Cancer riginated in 2007 as an idea - a way to honor the life and spirit of Lois Wells, the mother of Concord-Carlisle High School (CCHS) varsity soccer alums (1996-1998) Steve Wells and Dan Wells (1989-1990). After playing soccer for Connecticut College (1999-2002), Steve returned to CCHS as an assistant coach for the men’s soccer team in 2003. In 2009, Steve joined the CCHS Special Education department as tutor and has been a Special Education teacher since 2012. We asked Steve to share his thoughts on the history of Kicks for Cancer and its impact:
The First Kicks for Cancer Event--2007
The first Kicks for Cancer event was played at Memorial Stadium at CCHS in October 2007--a single game against Boston Latin High School. The idea of the game originated from the brilliance of CCHS coach Ray Pavlik who had rallied the team to do something to support me during a very difficult time for me after our mother's death. Initially, CCHS staff had looked into doing a charity walk/run in memory of my mother, but when fundraising minimums made this impossible for a team of 20-plus players and coaches, Coach Pavlik came up with the idea of playing a benefit game where all of the CCHS players wore pink jerseys with 'WELLS' on the back to honor my mother. The first event was very successful and featured the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by members of the choir from my mother's church, Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA, a ceremonial "first kick" done by my nephew Wells Ipema to the team captains, and many alumni in attendance. I was blown away by the $8,000 that we raised and donated in support of women's cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Little did I know that this was only the beginning and would be much more than a one-time event.
The first Kicks for Cancer event was played at Memorial Stadium at CCHS in October 2007--a single game against Boston Latin High School. The idea of the game originated from the brilliance of CCHS coach Ray Pavlik who had rallied the team to do something to support me during a very difficult time for me after our mother's death. Initially, CCHS staff had looked into doing a charity walk/run in memory of my mother, but when fundraising minimums made this impossible for a team of 20-plus players and coaches, Coach Pavlik came up with the idea of playing a benefit game where all of the CCHS players wore pink jerseys with 'WELLS' on the back to honor my mother. The first event was very successful and featured the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by members of the choir from my mother's church, Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA, a ceremonial "first kick" done by my nephew Wells Ipema to the team captains, and many alumni in attendance. I was blown away by the $8,000 that we raised and donated in support of women's cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Little did I know that this was only the beginning and would be much more than a one-time event.
Kicks for Cancer Expanded
I had assumed that the first Kicks for Cancer was just a one-time event, so when Coach Pavlik approached me the next season and said that the plan was to do it again, I was shocked--a great surprise! The event took off, eventually expanding into two games side-by-side in 2010, six games in 2011 and sixteen soccer games in 2019. The Concord-Carlisle and Lincoln-Sudbury women's teams first joined the Kicks lineup in 2013 to the delight of soccer fans. The most amazing thing was that each year we raised more money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute than the previous year. Every time I was told how much money was raised, I was more and more blown away! The generosity of the CCHS community and now that of many other towns is indescribable. The time, effort, and energy that is put into Kicks for Cancer by Coach Pavlik and so many parent volunteers (as the event has grown, a committee had to be formed to handle all the various aspects of the event) is unbelievable.
I had assumed that the first Kicks for Cancer was just a one-time event, so when Coach Pavlik approached me the next season and said that the plan was to do it again, I was shocked--a great surprise! The event took off, eventually expanding into two games side-by-side in 2010, six games in 2011 and sixteen soccer games in 2019. The Concord-Carlisle and Lincoln-Sudbury women's teams first joined the Kicks lineup in 2013 to the delight of soccer fans. The most amazing thing was that each year we raised more money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute than the previous year. Every time I was told how much money was raised, I was more and more blown away! The generosity of the CCHS community and now that of many other towns is indescribable. The time, effort, and energy that is put into Kicks for Cancer by Coach Pavlik and so many parent volunteers (as the event has grown, a committee had to be formed to handle all the various aspects of the event) is unbelievable.
Kicks for Cancer Today
Now, including the partnership with CCHS Field Hockey’s (Sticks for Cancer), the CCHS Cross Country teams’ K(ilometer)s for Cancer, CCHS Football, (Tickles for Cancer) CCHS Ultimate, (Flicks for Cancer) CCHS Volleyball, the CCHS Pink Dance, and The Mighty Moose 5k Run/Walk, Kicks for Cancer is the cornerstone of an incredible weekend which is so much more than just soccer. It truly brings the community together for a great cause, and I am beyond humbled and awed by the magnitude of the event. That, combined with the specific donation to Dr. Elias’s lab at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to fund ovarian cancer early detection and treatment efforts, makes me and so many others in the community proud to be a part of this event each year. Our commitment to cancer research and to the patients and families impacted by cancer is unwavering. Thank you to everyone involved--the players, the volunteers, and the community! 
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