St. Petersburg, FL (August 28, 2017) – Every day 43 children are told they have cancer in the United States. The Tampa Bay Rowdies encourage the community to take notice and become #GOLDTOGETHER to help fight the #1 disease killer of children in the United States.

The Rowdies are working together with Medulloblastoma survivor and honorary Rowdie Cole Eicher to support families, raise research funds and bring awareness to childhood cancer. During National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, childhood cancer will take the spotlight at Al Lang Stadium as the Tampa Bay Rowdies feature the #GOLDTOGETHER initiative.

For the September 23 and 30 Rowdies matches $2 from every ticket sold (including season tickets) will be donated to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital pediatric cancer research unit. Additionally, the club will donate $1,000 for every Rowdies goal plus $1,000 for a shut-out. Fans can participate in various pre and in-game activities to support fundraising. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Rowdies at 727-222-2000 or by visiting rowdiessoccer.com.

Twelve-year-old pediatric cancer survivor Marissa Peddie will sing the anthem at both matches.

Rowdies fans and the entire community can donate directly to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital pediatric cancer research unit by visiting www.goldtogether.com.

Businesses, restaurants, schools and organizations across the Tampa Bay area are hosting fundraising campaigns and their donations will be presented at half time during the September 23 and 30 matches. If interested in participating please contact Laura Eicher.

“When I was in the cancer floor and I would walk by all the rooms filled with kids, I saw that they were often too small or too sick to speak out and help others,” Eicher said. “I believe that everyone can do something to help kids fighting cancer.”

#GOLDTOGETHER is an initiative started by Medulloblastoma survivor Cole Eicher. Cole was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 12-years-old and was treated with surgery and nine months of powerful but oftentimes painful treatment at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. He endured thirty rounds of radiation to the brain and spine and four months of high-dose chemotherapy combined with a stem-cell rescue and transplant treatment. Today Cole shows “no evidence of disease” and his message is that “everyone can do something to help kids fighting cancer.” Working TOGETHER with hospitals, athletic organizations, pediatric cancer foundations, businesses, schools and individuals #GOLDTOGETHER’s mission is to bring awareness, support families and raise research funds to end pediatric cancer.

#GOLDTOGETHER has inspired $750,000 to be given to pediatric charities since 2014.