Player Causes
Matt Besler – Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the largest non-profit organization dedicated to funding Blood Cancer research and providing education to patients. It is the goal of the LLS to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of life for patients and their families. The LLS has provided over $750 million to blood cancer research.
Matt Besler became involved in the LLS after inquiring through Sporting Kansas City about the organization. Fortunately, Matt has not been directly affected by Leukemia or Lymphoma. However, throughout his time working with the organization, Besler has formed close relationship with many patients. Matt Besler was awarded the Man of the Year award for the Midwest Chapter of the LLS after raising just over $9,000.
Bobby Convey – Big Brothers Big Sisters & Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City aims to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better under the premise that positive relationships have a lasting effect on the lives of young people.
Bobby Convey teamed up with Big Brothers Big Sisters when he became an official spokesperson for the organization in early March. Convey joins Chiefs safety Eric Berry and Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer in their efforts to build awareness and raise funds for BBBS. Convey recently adopted his little Jaden, 9, who is a huge soccer fan. The pair shares a love for sports and spends a lot of time watching sporting events on television and playing a variety of games at local recreation centers including basketball and soccer.
The Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired strives to prepare children with visual impairments, as well as other disabilities, for their success in the sighted world. CCVI is open for infant-aged children up to high school aged students who visual impairment interferes with their educational experience.
Bobby Convey has been asked to sit on the board of the CCVI after his involvement with the organization. Growing up being blind in one eye, Bobby relates to these young children and their difficulties in a sighted world. Bobby has planned for the students of CCVI to make a field trip to Sporting Park to see where he spends many of his days. Bobby continues to raise awareness for the visually impaired and looks forward to a successful year.
Kei Kamara – Heart Shaped Hands Foundation
Kei Kamara, with his own foundation, the Heart Shaped Hands Foundation, strives to provide education scholarships for students in Sierra Leone. From Sierra Leone originally, Kamara knows the lifestyles these children have lived, and hopes to provide them a higher form of education like he was able to get.