BERKELEY – The California women's soccer program is proud to announce it will be partnering with Mission Stadiums for Multiple Sclerosis (MS4MS) to help raise awareness and support the foundation during its match with Boston College on Sunday, September 28 at Edwards Stadium.
 
The match will feature a barbecue with specialty food items, a post-meet autograph session with the Golden Bears, as well as an online silent auction with autographed professional jerseys from many former Cal players, NWSL players, and the world's all-time international goals leader, Christine Sinclair. Admission to the event is free and kickoff is set for 1 p.m. PT. 
 
MS4MS has started an event page where donations can be made to help the team reach its fundraising goal of $5,000.
 
This partnership was born by Cal associate head coach Cori Callahan, who has a personal relationship with the disease and the foundation. Her father, Al Alexander, has been living with MS for 33 years.
 
From Coach Callahan
"My dad was diagnosed in 1992, when I was 7 years old, with multiple sclerosis. A disease we knew nothing about, yet it affects a million-plus people in the United States. Like many kids, my dad was my first coach, the person that taught me how to ride a bike, kick, throw and catch a ball, how to pitch a tent at a family camping adventure, change the oil in my car or fix a flat tire, or fix anything for that matter. Watching sports together is a favorite shared pastime.
 
We have always had an incredible bond that continues to this day, and I am forever grateful for that. This disease has no road map, no blueprint, no guidebook on how to navigate and best support your loved one. Not to mention, many do not even know what MS is, the various types that are out there, and the fact that there is still no cure. 
 
The goal of this game is to raise awareness about a disease many do not know a thing about, all the while dedicating the game to my hero of a dad in the process. To see the relentless fight he has shown since diagnosis, I am in awe of him every single day and want to be able to honor him as he continues to inspire the village of people that love him!"