Soccer Holds Childhood Cancer Awareness Event
September 21, 2010 | Soccer
Oct. 5, 2010
Riley's Army Video via YouTube l Registration Form 
GREENVILLE, N.C. - The East Carolina women's soccer team will hold its Second Annual Riley's Army Auction on Friday, Oct. 22 following its Conference USA match against UTEP at the North Campus Recreation Complex. The Pirates will join the fight against cancer by wearing and auctioning off pink jersey's to help raise money for the Riley's Army charity of Greenville.
Prior to the start of the game, the Pirates will host a dinner catered by Panera, a one-mile walk around the complex and a field day for kids to play with other athletes, PeeDee and the Cheerleaders, and other volunteers. The walk will begin at 5 p.m. followed by the field day (5:45 p.m.) and silent auction (5:30 p.m.).
Riley's Army, founded in April of 2007, supports 10-year-old Greenville resident Riley Philpot, her family and others in the area with children battling cancer. The charity recruits and trains volunteers to sit with pediatric cancer patients and their siblings, as well as provide meals, financial, logistical, spiritual and other types of support.
At age six, Riley was diagnosed with a Wilms' tumor on her right kidney. A Wilms' tumor is the most common malignant tumor of the kidneys in children. After what appeared to be a successful operation and removal of the tumor, the cancer returned and several spots on her lungs were found.
She endured another round of procedures and treatments and appeared to be on her way to a full recovery and remission until the cancer returned again. Riley continues her battle with cancer today. She loves soccer and attends Pirate matches whenever she is able.
During Friday's game, ECU's players, coaches and team trainer Jen Merrill will wear pink jerseys that will be up for auction. Fans can place their bids at a table set up next to the bleachers at the North Campus Recreation Complex. Bidding will start at $20 per jersey and increase in increments of $5. Bidding will end with five minutes remaining in the second half.
Volunteers from Riley's Army will determine the winning bid for each jersey. Winners must pay with either cash or check immediately after the match, at which time each player, coach or trainer will present the winner with his or her jersey.
During the contest, representatives from Riley's Army will be on hand to offer information on childhood cancer. Across America, 12,500 children are diagnosed each year with cancer and one in 330 will contract some form of cancer before age 20. In North Carolina, about 150 children east of Raleigh are diagnosed with cancer each year.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Registration Location: North Campus Recreational Complex/ Picnic Shelter (U.S. Highway 264)
Registration/Food: 4-5 p.m.
One-Mile Walk: 5-5:30 p.m.
*Auction Begins: 5:30 p.m.
Field Day for Kids: 5:45-6:45 p.m.
Soccer Game vs. UTEP: 7 p.m.
* Auction will be cut off at the start of the second half
Cost: (Includes a T-shirt and food)
Youth or ECU Student with valid 1card: $10
Adult:$20
For more information please contact Erin St. Ledger in the ECU Athletics Marketing Department at (252) 737-4532 or by email at Stledgere@ecu.edu. If you would like to learn more information on Riley's Army please visit http://www.rileysarmy.com.
