Kicking For The Dream Update!
Kicking For The Dream is receiving attention nationally. The Arena Football League announced on their website Saturday that Carlos Martinez was given the AFL Pulse Player of the Week award for his participation in Kicking For The Dream. Congrats, Carlos! Check out the full press release below…
PHILADELPHIA’S MARTINEZ NAMED WEEK 18 AFL PULSE PLAYER OF THE WEEK CHICAGO – Philadelphia Soul K Carlos Martinez has been named the AFL Pulse Player of the Week for his recent philanthropic efforts. Martinez (5-8, 180, Buena Vista) is in his ninth season in the AFL and his first with the Soul. Martinez has recently joined Kicking for the Dream’s fight against ovarian cancer. The organization was created by Billy Cundiff, an NFL kicker, whose mother-in-law, Colleen Drury, lost a battle with the disease.
“I am a very good friend of Billy Cundiff and Colleen was a good friend of mine as well, so this something that I really truly believe in,” Martinez said.
In 2008, Martinez participated in Kicking for the Cure, where he donated a set amount for every extra point and field goal made and it was matched by fans and other organizations and donated to the Ovarian Cancer Center at Georgia Tech.
“Colleen actually came out to a game that season and also saw the Ovarian Cancer Institute to see what they were doing in creating the early detection tests,” Martinez said.
Kicking for the Dream’s proceeds go directly to Colleen’s Dream which supports research for early detection and improved treatment for ovarian cancer. As part of Kicking for the Dream, Martinez has created a team of friends and family that will raise funds and awareness. He hopes that the kicking community will come together and support the cause. This week alone, fellow Arena Football kicker, Kyle Brotzman of the Utah Blaze has joined the effort.
“The goal is to have kicking specialists from all over the country come together to not only raise money for research but also help build awareness,” Martinez said. “Too many women don’t get diagnosed until they are already in Stages 3 or 4 of the disease; but if it’s caught in Stages 1 or 2, the chances of survival dramatically increase.”
Martinez says the impact of ovarian cancer is felt by many more than just those stricken with the disease.
“It’s a woman’s disease but it impacts anyone that is married, has kids, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, mothers, stepmothers – they all could be affected at some point in their life so the more people that are aware of the disease and the lack of early detection testing, the better chances for survival,” Martinez said. Carlos Martinez’s Kicking for the Dream page can be accessed here. Martinez and the Philadelphia Soul (13-2) will travel to San Jose to take on the SaberCats (5-10) on Saturday in a cross-conference matchup. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET. The AFL Pulse Player of the Week is awarded to one player each week in recognition of their commitment to community service. The AFL Pulse Al Lucas Hero of the Year will be voted on following the 2013 regular season.
For the original press release, please go to:
http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/072013aae.html