Soccer Camp Provides Hope

Oliver Wyss, a former soccer player for the Anaheim Splash and L.A. Salsa, received a bone-marrow transplant in 1997 and is looking to give something back to those who helped save his life.

Wyss will donate all proceeds from his “Soccer for Hope” youth camp, which will be held next week at Serrano School in Lake Forest, to the City of Hope in Duarte.

Wyss was found to have aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder. He received a bone-marrow transplant on April 9, 1997, at the City of Hope. His brother Freddy, then 29, was the donor.

“I had never heard of the disease or of the City of Hope,” Wyss said. “It sounded like some place you go when you are ready to die, when you’re down to your last hope.

“But when I got there, I was so overwhelmed. From the custodians to the doctors, everyone was so friendly and made such an effort to give you a chance to live.”

Wyss, 22 at the time of the transplant, is a native of Switzerland and played for the Swiss national team. He currently directs the West Coast Football Club boys’ youth program.

More than 100 children have already signed up for next week’s camp, Wyss said. It is his first “Soccer for Hope” venture, but he said he is planning many more, including some in the Los Angeles area.

The camp is open to boys and girls ages 7-13. It will run from 9 a.m.-noon, Monday through Friday. Fees are $75 for the week or $18 per day.

For more information, call (949) 768-9232, Ext. 3033.