During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute in Kansas City partnered with Sporting KC to bring two of the club’s players into direct contact with patients battling the disease. Forward Calvin Harris and goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland visited the institute on Tuesday, meeting with local survivor Jennifer Beaven and hearing her story of perseverance.
Jennifer’s journey
Beaven’s diagnosis came after a routine mammogram revealed an abnormality. “Yeah, it kind of came out of nowhere,” she recalled. Further testing showed the cancer had spread to her brain, prompting an aggressive treatment plan that has now spanned two years. “Ten rounds of radiation, whole head. And then after that there was chemo,” she explained. While doctors have told her the cancer is not curable, Beaven emphasized that ongoing chemotherapy keeps the disease at bay. “Chemo is never going to stop because the cancer is not curable,” she said, adding that the treatment has allowed her to maintain a good quality of life so far.
Beaven’s support network includes her partner, who also survived breast cancer, and her daughter, an avid soccer player. “She’s had cancer twice, and I’ve supported her, she’s supported me, so it’s not unusual for us to have to deal with this,” Beaven noted. The family’s shared experience with cancer has deepened their appreciation for community resources and the encouragement they receive from local organizations.
Players’ reflections
Harris described the visit as “heart‑warming,” noting that hearing personal stories puts the day‑to‑day challenges of professional sports into perspective. “It makes a lot of the menial things that we deal with day to day really, really feel menial because there are much bigger things,” Cleveland added.
The players also spoke with Beaven about the importance of support systems and the role of sports in fostering resilience. Beaven, whose daughter has played soccer for most of her life, expressed excitement about attending a Sporting KC match in the future. “I promise I’ll come see you guys now that I’ve met you,” she said.
Community message
Beaven urged anyone reading the story to prioritize regular health screenings. “Everybody should just get checked and if you do get a diagnosis, it’s not the end of your life,” she advised. Her message aligns with the institute’s broader outreach during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to educate the public about early detection and the value of ongoing treatment.
Hundreds of thousands of Americans continue to battle breast cancer each year. Local partnerships like the one between Saint Luke’s and Sporting KC demonstrate how sports teams can play a meaningful role in community health initiatives, offering both visibility and personal connection to those affected.
Looking ahead
Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute plans to continue its collaboration with local organizations throughout the month, hosting additional events and educational sessions. The institute encourages residents of Kansas City and the surrounding Jackson County area to take advantage of free screening opportunities and to support patients and families navigating cancer treatment.
Original reporting: KSHB 41 Kansas City (local) — read the source article.
