The award-winning Overland Park Soccer Complex turns pink this weekend as thousands of girl soccer players from around the region take to the fields for the Midwest All Girls (MAG) soccer tournament.  Johnson County healthcare leaders Menorah Medical Center and Overland Park Regional Medical Center, along with HCA Midwest Physicians, are the exclusive healthcare partners with Heartland Soccer Association (HSA) and the Overland Park Soccer Complex, both headquartered in Overland Park. The HSA hosts the prestigious tournament this weekend at the OP Soccer Complex.

In an unprecedented show of support for breast cancer awareness and to serve as a visual reminder that early screening saves lives, players will use pink soccer balls, staff at the OP Soccer Complex will wear pink t-shirts and vests and corner flags will be posted on every field during the tournament. Fans and supporters are encouraged to wear pink on Saturday to show their support as well.

Saturday’s GO PINK presence is designed to raise awareness for October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and remind women to get their mammogram. The MAG features 291 teams from seven states, drawing thousands of children, parents, grandparents and families from across the region in one of the Kansas City metropolitan area’s largest all-girls annual soccer tournaments.

The hospitals, a part of HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City’s leading healthcare network, will host several physician experts at their tent in the main grand stands as a part of their commitment to keeping the community healthy.  Sports medicine physicians, certified athletic trainers, cancer specialists and therapists will be on hand to provide tips on staying healthy, and discuss how early screening saves lives.

“As we launch the new Sarah Cannon Cancer Network, this event allows us the opportunity to engage their moms about the power of taking care of themselves, while promoting breast health among women of all ages,” says Steven D. Wilkinson, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Menorah Medical Center. “Having a sea of pink at the prestigious Overland Park Soccer Complex provides our experts the opportunity to talk about prevention and discuss the importance of getting screened.”

Kevin J. Hicks, President and Chief Executive Officer, Overland Park Regional Medical Center notes that this weekend’s message that early detection saves lives is integral in the fight against breast cancer. “Our physicians and staff are excited to be at the Complex and to continue our work with athletes and their parents,” says Hicks.  “As the exclusive healthcare partner to Heartland and the Overland Park Soccer Complex we not only strive to provide excellent care on and off the field, but we want mothers to take the time for themselves as well.”

“As a physician who cares for patients every day battling breast cancer, I’m energized about the opportunity to turn the soccer complex pink as breast cancer does not discriminate, and reaching multiple generations and an entire region allows us to educate more women with a simple message: Good breast health including the need for self-exams, medical check-ups and mammograms SAVES LIVES,” says Anne Kobbermann, M.D., Board-certified and fellowship trained Breast Surgical Oncologist on staff at Menorah Medical Center and Overland Park Regional Medical Center. “The pink fields will honor survivors of breast cancer and lives saved through quality cancer care.”

“As a new physician specializing in breast care at Menorah Medical Center, I’m excited and honored to be a part of this community collaboration as we turn the fields pink,” says Nasim Ahmadiyeh, M.D., Ph.D., Board-certified Breast Surgical Oncologist. “This is a great grassroots opportunity to make a positive impact on breast health.”

“Our partnership with Menorah Medical Center and Overland Park Regional Medical Center is a valuable asset to the community and to our organization as we make a positive impact with athlete’s safety on and off the field,” says Shane Hackett, Executive Director, Heartland Soccer Association. “Last year’s event was incredibly energizing.  Saturday’s unique partnership will help raise awareness for a disease that affects thousands of women each year— and what better time to do that than during one of the region’s most popular all-girls tournaments.”

In addition to promoting breast cancer awareness, the event will showcase the da Vinci Surgical Robot so that athletes and their families can “test drive” and learn about the advanced robotic technology. HCA Midwest Health is a leader in the da Vinci, which facilitates complex minimally invasive surgical procedures.  

For more information about the soccer partnership, visit midwestsportscare.com or call (913) 262-1412.