Mia, Nomar help in fight against cancer

BELLFLOWER, Calif. – Some six months pregnant with twins, Mia Hamm deftly switched the soccer ball from her right foot to her left, then rolled it behind her to keep an eager young defender from taking it away.

Eight-year-old Anthony Arroyo watched approvingly before gleefully sprinting up the field toward the opponent’s goal.

“It’s been a while,” said the 34-year-old Hamm, retired from soccer but still one of America’s most-recognized athletes. “Some things definitely have changed. I’ve put on a little weight.”

There’s a strong connection between Hamm and Arroyo, who, thanks to the National Marrow Donor Program’s registry, can run and play soccer with the other kids.

Hamm and husband Nomar Garciaparra of the Los Angeles Dodgers were on hand Sunday afternoon at his old high school to kick off a program to help patients and their families in their fight against cancer.

The two call their program “9 to 5” because they consider giving back to the community a full-time effort.

While youngsters scurried about on the St. John Bosco High School field, adults filled out forms and had swabs taken to register with the marrow donor program.

“Being a donor can be a life-altering experience. It’s an opportunity to help change the world,” Hamm said.

Garciaparra said, “Just registering can save a person’s life.”

Hamm had a tragic personal experience: her brother Garrett died at 28 of aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder. He did receive a bone marrow transplant, but other complications caused his death in 1997.

She and Garciaparra are teaming with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and plan to put together a fundraising soccer match next year that will feature stars from sports and the entertainment industry.