Duke University’s men’s and women’s soccer squads have teamed up with Duke Children’s hospital to launch a new community outreach program called Kicks for Kids, aimed at raising funds for therapy dog visits to pediatric cancer patients.
The initiative ties financial pledges to on‑field statistics, with donors contributing set amounts for each goal, assist, shot, corner kick or save recorded by the teams throughout the 2025 season.
Pets at Duke, a service of the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program, provides certified therapy dogs that regularly comfort patients, helping to lower stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation during treatment.
According to program organizers, pledge levels start at ten cents and can climb to several dollars per statistical milestone, translating into total contributions that range from roughly sixty‑three dollars to over three thousand dollars for the upcoming season.
A Season of Giving
The schedule includes two free exhibition matches that are open to the public: the women’s team will host Wake Forest on August 5 and will face Carolina Ascent FC on August 8, both events taking place on the Duke campus.
Regular‑season play kicks off on August 12 when the men’s side travels to face Southern California, while the women’s team opens its home slate on August 20 against Seton Hall.
Additional exhibition fixtures include a match against UNC Wilmington on August 8 and a final preseason game at James Madison on August 15, all of which are offered at no cost to spectators.
Community Impact and Future Plans
Therapy dog sessions have been shown to improve patient morale and even reduce reported pain levels, making the partnership a natural fit for a program that blends sport with compassion.
Organizers hope the model can be replicated by other collegiate programs, creating a network of student‑athlete driven charitable efforts that benefit hospitals nationwide.
How to Get Involved
Fans and community members can contribute by pledging per statistical achievement, with details on the donation platform available through Duke’s athletics website. All exhibition matches and regular‑season home games are free to attend, encouraging broad community participation.