There was a soccer game Saturday afternoon at. Stanford and Cal's women's soccer teams competed hard. The Cardinal nicked a goal and thousands of fans were entertained.
But what made the warm spring day in San Ramon special was the community and it's support for three kids who are facing a difficult opponent — cancer.
The exhibition soccer game was the highlight of an all-day event at Dougherty Valley to raise money for kids with Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.
The event was organized by friends of the Bochenek family, whose 10-year-old daughter Brianne (who goes by "Breezy") was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma last fall. Since, she has gone through chemotherapy cycles and had her left leg amputated in her fight to be cancer free.
Along with Bochenek family, the event raised funds for the families of 9-year-old's David Jacobsohn of Fremont and Ashton Carter of Livermore, who both have also been diagnosed with Osteosarcoma.
Event organizers estimated about 3,500 people attended from communities around the Bay Area and more than $8,000 was raised.
"Everything went so well today," Breezy's father, Stan Bochenek said. "We have been overwhelmed over and over again by the community and we have been again today."
More than 15 Bay Area soccer clubs came to show their support and hundreds of children about the same age of Bochenek, Jacobsohn and Carter sported smiles, with many wearing "Team Breezy" shirts and bracelets.
The college soccer players were treated as superstars, signing dozens of autographs before and after the game. Though the biggest star was Breezy, who took photos with both teams and signed many autographs herself.
"The fact that we can be part of a community event like this is special," Cal head coach Neil McGuire said. "There was great soccer, with great players in front of a great community. We are really proud that we could be part of it."
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