WEYMOUTH — Since 2010, “A Shot For Life” has been taking strides towards conquering cancer, using sports as a vehicle to do so.
On Sunday, the foundation hosted its third annual All-Star Girls Soccer Game, with some of the state’s top talent flocking to the Union Point Sports Complex for the showcase. In a fun-filled match, Braintree’s Hannah Carr tapped home the eventual game-winning goal in the 79th minute, as Team Blue won a spirited 3-1 game with Team Black.
Team Blue struck first in the 30th minute off a goal from Ari Schwinn-Clanton of Andover, only to watch Dexter Southfield product Meredith Theis bury the equalizer to start the second half in the 47th.
Still deadlocked late in regulation, Carr corralled a pass in the box, and buried an attempt to put her team ahead. Methuen’s Courtney Pickles put the finishing touches on the win with a last-second goal moments later.
Like many, Carr was driven to join ASFL because of her family’s own battles with cancer.
“I lost my grandfather (Eddie) last year to cancer,” Carr said. “It was pretty hard, because a lot of my family lives in Ireland, so I wasn’t able to say goodbye. Right now, my other grandfather, (John), he does live here, and is going through cancer now. He’s getting help, getting treatment at Mass General Hospital too. It meant a lot to me. I feel like I’m helping him in some way.”
Carr, a Merrimack commit, said she intends to continue working with ASFL as she prepares for a collegiate soccer career.
“I’m going to try and make sure I can help out anyway that I can,” Carr said. “My other grandmother, she fought and beat cancer four times in Ireland, which is huge. My uncle had it too. Cancer has been a tough struggle for my family, so just to be able to be a part of this amazing organization, it makes me feel like I can help other people.”
ASFL also recognized Addisyn Lamothe-Vaughn of King Philip and Bishop Feehan’s Brooke Kennedy, each taking part in their third soccer showcase. The New England Revolution also joined the cause this year, with their mascot Slyde to join the fun.
In total, ASFL raised a combined $95,000 between its boys and girls soccer All-Star showcases this year. Proceeds will benefit research for Tandem CAR T-cell therapy at Mass General.
“What’s really exciting, and you guys have been coming to these events for years, is that we’re now at the point where our research is showing real, tangible results,” said event founder Mike Slonina. “There’s people walking around right now that are having a treatment that wasn’t available five years ago. We’re part of the reason that that exists. Of course, we all love sports, and people come and see the sports part of A Shot For Life. That’s what we do, and that’s been exciting to see.”
Slonina started ASFL as a basketball fundraiser as a way to help his mother in her fight with cancer. Now one of the biggest foundations in the fight in New England, Slonina has more help planned.
“Something else is going to get announced on that front at some point in 2025 that we’re doing as well,” said Slonina. “But that’s actually not up to me to announce. So, MGH will announce that at some point.”
