19th Year of Kick Cancer Out of the World
USTMA is entering its 19th year of fundraising to raise money for cancer prevention, research and treatment. The USTMA fundraising program is called "Kick Cancer Out of the World" and is a 6 month long program held each year encompassing a variety of events.
All proceeds from the events are donated to USTMA's two identified charities of choice: Blue Ridge Hospice and the American Cancer Society.
History of Kick Cancer Out of the World
Grandmaster Choi's father died of cancer despite the valiant efforts of the Choi family to stave off his illness and provide the best treatment possible. Grandmaster Choi's father was the man responsible for teaching him taekwondo in the front yard of his house in Korea and ensuring that he learned an attitude of gratitude for whatever success he achieved. Grandmaster Choi's father was his greatest hero and his loss to cancer was devastating to the family. Rising from his grief, Grandmaster Choi vowed to commit to raising one million dollars towards cancer research and prevention to honor his father's memory and to try and prevent such devastation to others.
To meet his self-imposed goal, Grandmaster Choi created the "Kick Cancer Out of the World" fundraising campaign which is composed of a variety of individual fundraising events throughout the year, including:
- USTMA team to participate in American Cancer Society's Relay for Life walk held each spring in Western Loudoun County
- Golf Tournament & Auction
- USTMA Tournament
- USTMA Demonstration
First KCOTW Event is Complete!
June 4: Relay for Life, Heritage HS
The first event of the fundraising year is ACS' Relay for Life. This year's event was held in Leesburg at Heritage High School and was a great event for the whole family. USTMA participates in this event every year in a variety of ways.
USTMA participated this year through walking, the luminaria ceremony and fundraising. We also were honored to be involved in the opening ceremony of the Relay for Life and leading a "Punch Cancer Out" ceremony.
The Punch Cancer Out ceremony is new to Relay and is focused on showing others that USTMA is unified in its desire to show others that taekwondo is a solid lifestyle choice to aid in the prevention of cancer. The idea was simple--to have as many USTMA students arrive at the Heritage High School track dressed in full dobuk (uniform) as possible and to circle the track so that everyone can see our students and families. Once we were in position, Master John Choi lead the USTMA team and fellow Relay for Life walkers through a series of punching and kicking exercises. We demonstrated, as an entire community, the meaning of Pilsung! (certain victory) over cancer!
USTMA's Demo team also performed twice at Relay for Life amazing the audience (as always) with their skills and discipline.
August 21st: Golf Tournament and Charity Auction at Virginia National Golf Club is Complete!
Please join us for this year's golf tournament that will be held at the beautiful Virginia National Golf Club in Bluemont, Virginia. Join us for 18 holes, a few contests and an overall good time while we raise money for cancer research and treatment. Following the golf tournament, USTMA holds a charity auction which is always a good time for the entire family. Please contact USTMA if you are interested in playing, donating gifts or products for the auction or volunteering.
October 8: 19th Annual KCOTW TKD Tournament
USTMA holds its own invitational taekwondo tournament at Douglass Community Center each year. All USTMA students are encouraged to participate to experience competing.
November 5: 19th Annual KCOTW Demo
USTMA's Demonstration team puts on a special event each year to raise money for the KCOTW initiative. The demo features students from C-Crew, Super Juniors, special demonstrations by the instructors, and often includes a special performance by USTMA masters.
