Wilmette Kids To "Kick It" To Kick Cancer

Hundreds of Wilmette kids will again use kickball to help others fight cancer as they present the third annual Wilmette Kicks-It for Cancer kickball game on Friday, June 12 at 4:30 p.m. at Avoca Park, 2921 Illinois Road.

According to a news release, last year’s event raised more than $50,000 for pediatric cancer research. Since 2009, Flashes of Hope has raised over $2.8 million dollars nationally through the Kick-It program and other initiatives. The entire amount raised from the game goes toward funding pediatric cancer research.

This year’s Wilmette Kick-It honoree is Devin Dixit, a second grader at Harper Elementary School in Wilmette who was recently diagnosed with a brainstem glioma tumor and is currently undergoing weekly chemotherapy treatments at Lurie Children’s Hospital. A team honoring Devin will take part in the kickball tournament and fundraising efforts.

“Last year’s Wilmette Kick-It was an overwhelming success and we are excited to build on that success,” said Barrie Dekker, Flashes of Hope Chicago Chapter Director. “I was proud of the more than 350 middle school, junior high and high school students that raised money and volunteered their time to benefit other kids battling cancer. This year’s event will feature more participants and hopefully more money raised.”

Kick-It was founded by a 10-year-old cancer patient from Ohio during his second battle with cancer. He asked his parents if he could have a kickball game to raise money for research, 500 people came to support him and launched his big dream to cure cancer through his favorite game.