2012 mAss Kickers Foundation Year In Review

2012 was a great year for mAss Kickers Foundation!

We started off 2012 at the E! Studios in Hollywood and saw a live taping of “The Soup”.  E! personality, Ken Baker was kind enough to give us a VIP tour of the E! Studios. 

In February, MKF Founder, Eric Galvez spoke at The Rehab Institute of Chicago about his experiences as a young physical therapist turned neuro rehab patient and offered unique advice in treating brain tumor patients.  Later in the month, MKF was at the C4YW conference in New Orleans represented by Heather Swift, Gayle Wismar, and Cindy Sanchez.  Also in February, Lyman Ng, and Brent Glova guest bartended at Local Habit with all tips going to mAss Kickers Foundation to sponsor the Kickball tournament!. 

In March, Heather Swift represented MKF again at the DanaFarber Conference for Young Adult Survivors.  That same weekend, we traveled to Ann Arbor to meet with Google Ann Arbor. Eric also spoke at the University of Michigan to the student groups: Lambda Phi Epsilon, the Filipino American Student Association, and 58 Greene.  Later in March, Eric spoke at his Alma Mater, the University of Michigan Flint Physical Therapy program about his experiences as a physical therapist turned neuro rehab patient.

In April, MKF sponsored our first basketball team in the FASAMI Sports league.  MKF was also represented in Las Vegas for the OMG Cancer Summit for Young Adults by San Diego based mAss Kickers.

In May, MKF teamed up with First Descents, Young Survival Coalition – San Diego chapter, Fin Forward, and International Alliance of Pilots 4 Patients for a bon fire.  In May, we also hosted the first mAss Kickers Charity KickBall Tournament in San Diego.  The winners of the tournament, the SoCal Riot took home the Inaugural Championship P.I.M.P. cups. 

In June, MKF teamed with the SAMFund and 24Hour fitness on an event called Fit2Survive.   Eric presented Dr. Steve Morris’s research findings on the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors.

In August, MKF hosted the fourth Annual TUMORS SUCK Paintball Benefit.  It has gotten bigger each year and >$11000 was raised!   Eric returned to University of Michigan -Flint Physical Therapy Program at the end of the month as a speaker at Doctor of Physical Therapy Hooding Ceremony.

In September, Eric traveled to Texas again to speak at University of Texas – Southwestern about his experiences as a young PT turned neuro rehab patient.  MKF also connected with Community Boost Consulting at the Stay Classy Collaborative in San Diego to help promote International TUMORS SUCK Day 2012.

In October MKF was represented at Fil-Am Fest in San Diego.  Later in the month, we teamed with Hawktober and Floyd’s 99 Barbershop to promote brain tumor awareness and show support for breast cancer patients.  On October 25, we hosted the International Tumors Suck Day Celebration of Life. This was an event for survivors to formally say thanks with toasts to our families, friends, and fellow survivors who stuck with us through the difficult times.  They transformed us into “thrivers”.

In November, we spear headed the creation of a mustache group for “Movember”, the Whiskered Warriors to literally show support for prostate cancer awareness..  MKF was also present at Critical Mass – The Young Adult Cancer Alliance conference.  Eric was also able to speak at Georgia State Physical Therapy Program.

This month, MKF is planning for 2013 events and activities!  We are already planning:

• a unique patient reseach seminar in San Diego,
• a charity kickball tournament in San Diego,
• a paintball benefit in Michigan,
• INTERNATIONAL TUMORS SUCK DAY an international campaign, and
• a NEW EVENT: a survivor speaking tour to the Philippines/Japan
• attending select conferences in 2013
• a US Healthcare colleges/universities lecture tour…

Please support mAss Kickers Foundation activities in 2013, Click here to step up to the challenge .