Kicking for a Cure: Soccer plays for a greater cause
Shannon Perez (center), a 13-year-old student at Neil Hafley, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The Manteca High girls soccer program is hosting a charity game on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, to help raise funds to support Perez and her family.
By RONNIE FUENTES
The Tower
Kicking for a Cure is an annual event that Manteca High girls soccer coach Justin Coenenberg started 12 years ago.
The game raises money for a local youth enduring a significant and often times costly medical condition. Coenenberg also uses Kicking for a Cure to teach his varsity team to give back to those who are in need.
This year’s recipient of the Kicking for a Cure scholarship is Shannon Perez, an eighth grader at Neil Hafley Elementary School. Perez was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, a battle that continues today.
The non-league game with Lathrop High will be played on Friday, Jan. 27, with varsity kicking off at 6:45 p.m.
On a field full of talent, Perez will be the unequivocal star.
Shannon Perez, pictured with her dog, is battling ovarian cancer. The 13-year-old Neil Hafley student is not alone in her fight. The Manteca High girls soccer team is supporting her with the Kicking for a Cure soccer game on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. (Photo contributed)
A simple girl who her parents say doesn’t like to be a rule breaker, Perez is often the one who stands up for what is right and doesn’t tolerate injustice. She’s a natural leader on her campus and in the community. When she isn’t out and about, she enjoys playing video games, especially Fortnite, and owns two pets: a dog and beta fish. She loves to cook lumpia, and when she grows up, she wants to be a chef.
That dream was shaken by sharp stomach pain in the fall.
On August 10, 2022, Perez’s parents decided to take her to the emergency room. They then received news that Perez’s had a large tumor leaking into her ovaries, causing stomach pain. Her parents were devastated but they never left Perez’s side. She was then transferred to Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Roseville, where she had the tumor removal surgery. Perez has since then gone through three cycles of chemotherapy. Her most recent blood test showed she is cancer free.
“In August of 2022, I took Shannon to the emergency room to have her checked out since her stomach was in so much pain. I was told by the doctors she had a tumor and her right ovary. It was immediately removed and taken care of. I was waiting patiently for the results from the pathologist for about 2 weeks. They called and said they did not have them yet,” her mother, Marie Perez, said. “I waited a bit more and that is when they dropped the bomb on us. We were told she had ovarian cancer. It flipped my world upside-down; my face went blank. It was so much to process. I was told before that there was a ninety-nine percent chance, she would not have ovarian cancer, but that small percent turned out to be the greater odd.”
“I want my team involved in the community. ... I want them to understand the importance of giving back to those in need.”
Perez’s parents were devastated. They believed their daughter was free from danger and malignant illness. They were so confused as to why Perez was diagnosed with ovarian cancer since studies have shown that ovarian cancer is extremely rare in children, especially a 13-year-old like Perez.
Going through all these medical procedures, Perez has had a lot of opportunities taken away from her. She had planned to run for vice president at her school. She has always strived to improve her school.
“She missed out on a lot of school and only went to school a few days. She wanted to be a part of Leadership, but it was taken away from her,” said Marie Perez. “She wanted to be vice president since kindergarten. She wants to improve her school.”
Though the funds are beneficial to Perez and her family, it has proven to also be beneficial to Coenenberg’s varsity players, who use soccer as a vehicle to give back to their community.
“I want my team involved in the community. My players are often busy and have a lot on their plate,” he said, “I want them to understand the importance of giving back to those in need.”
To reach out to the community, Coenenberg contacts the school nurses in the Manteca Unified School District. After learning of her story, Coenenberg believed Perez, with her kind and bright personality, to be the perfect candidate.
“Shannon’s mom told me about her situation. She’s going through cycles of chemotherapy and surgeries,” said Coenenberg. “Shannon is a great child with a great personality. Her and her family are obviously going through difficult times and we (my team and I) felt the need to give her this help.”
Shannon’s great personality has always been noticed by her family and peers.
Marie Perez said that Perez has always given back to her community, whether it was taking part in Toys for Tots drive to a breast cancer run, Perez has the gift of philanthropy in her heart.
Shannon Perez, an eighth grader from Neil Hafley, is surrounded by gifts and a cake on her 13th birthday. Perez has endured rounds of chemotherapy in her battle with ovarian cancer. (Photo contributed)
“Shannon is a big fundraiser. She does everything in her power to give back to those in need. She takes part in all the community services possible,” Perez said. “She wants to improve her school. She just has the biggest heart. Shannon strives to be the top fundraiser possible. She motivates me to give back to my community. Shannon is my whole world.”
Kicking for a Cure has been a great blessing to those in need. Coenenberg and his team have made that possible for the local community, raising more than $120,000 over the last 12 years. Marie Perez wasn’t expecting her daughter to be chosen as the recipient of this year’s funds. Initially, they rejected the offer from Coenenberg, but quickly realized it was truly a blessing for her daughter.
“It was hard to get any benefits from the state. I got off work in September and went back in November,” said Perez, “Kicking for a Cure is really the only help I have ever gotten. At first when the coach called me, I rejected him. He then called me again and told me his team was insisting for Shannon and I to accept this opportunity. So, I gave in, and now with their help, I am being recompensated. I am so grateful for Mr. Coenenberg and his team.”
To help support Kicking for a Cure, you can take part in the raffle and silent auction during the game. Students and staff at Manteca High can also support the cause by looking for a black box labeled “Kicking for a Cure” in the classrooms and making a small donation. If you would like to donate or for more information, please contact Coenenberg at jcoenenberg@musd.net.