THE HUDDLE

Welcome to the 2025 winter edition of our newsletter, “The Huddle”, which we hope will be

a helpful source of news and information for our teammates, donors, volunteers, and friends.

To keep everyone in on the game plan, we encourage you to sign up on our website to

continue to receive this newsletter quarterly.

MEET WESLEY!

This resilient little boy is three years old. Wesley is battling Group 4 Medulloblastoma, a rare and aggressive brain cancer.

Wesley’s journey began in early October, when doctors discovered a large brain tumor that required emergency surgery. Following the procedure, he developed posterior fossa syndrome, which temporarily took

away his speech, coordination, and much of his muscle tone.

Over the past few months, he has spent most days in the hospital, working tirelessly in rehab to regain motor skills and find new ways to communicate. Though Wesley hasn’t yet regained his speech or full mobility, he continues to make steady progress.

To ensure he receives the very best care, Wesley’s family relocated to be near his medical team, balancing long hospital days, helping his big sister Maggie adapt, and welcoming a new baby brother all at once.

MEET MARY!

This determined little girl is three years old. Mary is battling brain cancer.

Mary’s brain tumor was discovered on November 14, 2024, and she has been receiving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ever since. She began Cycle 8 of chemotherapy at the start of December.

This past year has brought many ups and downs, but Mary’s family is deeply grateful for the incredible medical team supporting her every step of the way.

Mary’s mom describes her as “all girl!” She loves singing, dancing, wearing dresses, and she’s a big fan of Frozen and Minnie Mouse. Her world is filled with pink and purple, and she never turns down pizza, ice cream, or cookies.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

This quarter, we are thrilled to shine a much-deserved spotlight on someone whose heart, generosity, and steady presence have helped shape Cancer Kickers from the very beginning, Dot Beatty.

Dot has been an integral part of the Cancer Kickers community since day one. Her impact is felt not only through her faithful financial support, but also through the countless hours she dedicates as a volunteer. Whether she’s showing up to help at our annual Big Buffalo 50 or pouring her heart into writing Comfort Cards for our teammates, Dot gives with a warmth and consistency that inspires everyone around her.

A longtime resident of Germantown, TN, Dot is a proud mother to two wonderful daughters and “GranDot” to seven incredible grandchildren, who fill her life with joy. When she’s not supporting Cancer Kickers, you can find her curled up with a good book, laughing along with The Gilmore Girls, or setting off on spontaneous day trips with friends.

Dot’s kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment embody the spirit of our mission. We are deeply grateful for her continued support and the love she brings to our community.

Thank you, Dot, for being a light to our teammates and an essential part of Cancer Kickers.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

We are thrilled to shine the Volunteer Spotlight on a remarkable group of young women from Hutchison School whose energy, creativity, and servant-hearted spirit have made a powerful impact behind the scenes at Cancer Kickers. When you think of enthusiasm, teamwork, and a “let’s get it done!” attitude, these volunteers immediately come to mind.

Over the past several months, these incredible students have spent countless hours diving headfirst into every project we could throw their way. They’ve assembled hundreds of boxes, stuffed thousands of Christmas cards, and crafted countless Comfort Cards filled with heartfelt encouragement for our teammates. No task has been too big or too small for them to tackle with care and dedication.

What truly stands out is their spirit. Each girl has shown up with kindness, humility, and a genuine desire to brighten someone else’s day. Their willingness to roll up their sleeves, paired with their joyful enthusiasm, has brought so much light into the Cancer Kickers office. They’ve turned work into laughter, service into teamwork, and ordinary tasks into something truly meaningful.

We are endlessly grateful for their hearts, their hustle, and their commitment to giving back. Their compassionate leadership sets an inspiring example for all of us.

Way to go, Hutchison girls! Your impact is felt every single day!

NOTEABLE AND NEWSWORTHY

This December, Cancer Kickers Soccer Club was honored to support the Warren's Warriors Foundation Hope for the Holidays Stocking Drive. The drive provided 250 stockings to children receiving cancer treatment at The Hope Clinic at USA Health Children's & Women’s Hospital in Mobile, Alabama. Each stocking was thoughtfully prayed over before being packed to bring joy, peace, and encouragement to families during these challenging times.

We were especially grateful to support a drive organized by the family of one of our own Cancer Kickers teammates, Warren, a 7-year-old warrior diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in December 2023. Warren is now in remission and finishing up his final year of treatment.

Warren’s family recently founded the Warren’s Warriors Foundation with a heartfelt goal: to reshape how they experience the month of December. Warren’s fevers began on 12/20/23, he was diagnosed on 12/28/23, and exactly one year later, on 12/20/24, another fever brought back difficult memories (thankfully, nothing serious). To “retrain” their minds and create new, joyful associations with December, the family launched Hope for the Holidays as an annual act of giving, celebration, and hope.

Cancer Kickers was proud to contribute our signature bracelets along with a note of encouragement to the stockings, joining dozens of other local businesses and organizations in spreading hope and holiday cheer.

Get ready to run with purpose! Registration is officially open for the 2026 Big Buffalo 50, taking place March 21, 2026, at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, TN.

Whether you're a seasoned ultra-runner or lacing up for a meaningful challenge, there’s a distance for everyone:

• 50-Mile Race

• 50K

• 50K Relay

• 10K

Every step you take at the Big Buffalo 50 brings hope to children fighting cancer. As the largest annual fundraiser for the Cancer Kickers Soccer Club, 100% of race entries go directly to CKSC’s mission of lifting spirits, spreading joy, and bringing moments of hope to children around the world.

If you aren't local to the Memphis area, please consider registering as a "Spirit Runner" to help support our fundraising efforts. All Sprit Runners will receive an official race t-shirt.

Run with heart. Run for our Cancer Kickers teammates.

Mark your calendar and join us in making a difference. Click here to reserve your spot today!

NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDERS

This year has been a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we come together. Every smile, every laugh, every moment of courage from the children and families we serve has shown us the strength, hope, and determination that exists even in the toughest times.

Cancer Kickers exists because of people like you, those who show up, lift others, and bring light into moments of uncertainty. Your passion, kindness, and dedication bring our programs to life, foster meaningful connections, and bring hope and joy to those we serve.

As we look toward a new year, we’re not just hoping for change, we’re building it. Together, we will continue creating spaces where families can feel supported, celebrated, and empowered. Here’s to more moments of courage, more smiles, and more lives touched in the year ahead.

Thank you for being the spark that makes it all possible.