Jordan Morris Launches Unique Soccer Camp

Seattle Sounders superstar provides an unforgettable experience for campers with Type 1 Diabetes

July 17, 2018

By Lauren Domino, Director, Philanthropic Services

Pulling up to the expansive soccer fields at Preston Park, excitement was all over campers’ faces on a sunny July day. The sidelines were filled with the usual water bottles, cleats and jerseys, but this is no ordinary soccer camp. This is a unique camp for kids with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) led by Sounders FC superstar Jordan Morris.

Jordan, who is a member of the Seattle Sounders FC and U.S. Men’s National Team, was diagnosed at age nine with T1D, an autoimmune disease which blocks the pancreas from making insulin, which is necessary for the body to produce energy from food. At a young age, he made the decision that the disease was not going to hold him back. In 2017, he officially launched the Jordan Morris Foundation at Seattle Foundation with a mission to educate, inspire and support the lives of children with T1D.

“I’ve been given this platform of being blessed to play soccer and I want to use it to do some good. So trying to reach as many younger diabetics as I can to let them know T1D can’t hold them back is very important to me,” Jordan says of his foundation.

In support of this mission, Jordan kicked off the inaugural T1D soccer camp this July in partnership with his former youth soccer club, Eastside FC, which provided pro bono registration, logistics and instruction for the camp. Offered at no charge to families to ensure all have access, the day-long session quickly filled to capacity, with 100 campers coming from all over the region and a handful from out of state.

“It’s been my dream to launch a soccer camp for kids with T1D, and I’m so happy that it’s become a reality,” Jordan said. “This is a place where kids with T1D can connect with others like them – they can play, make friends and just be kids for the day. I hope it inspires them so that they know nothing can hold them back from achieving their dreams.”

Campers of all levels of soccer experience are welcome to attend. Some were playing soccer for the first time while others got to share their soccer skills with new friends. One camper’s mother shared how meaningful the experience is for her child. “My daughter was really excited about coming here today as she’s never been around other kids with T1D – she’s the only one at her school. She loves soccer, and as soon as she arrived, she felt at ease. I don’t know how we got so lucky to have Jordan in our hometown and have a camp like this available to our family. It’s wonderful,” she said.

For Jordan, the work of his foundation is a family affair. His mother, Leslie Morris, oversees many logistics and operations for the foundation and the camp. His sister, brother and sister-in-law helped with social media, the website and camp preparation. His girlfriend served as the onsite photographer. And his father, Dr. Mike Morris, who is also the Sounders’ team physician, worked with other medical volunteers to ensure that campers had a safe day. Dr. Morris

 also drove roundtrip to South Seattle to make sure two siblings could attend camp when their mother had concerns about their car’s ability to make the trip.

When a young camper felt a bit shaky, Jordan helped the child as his blood sugar was tested. Midway through the day, Jordan inspired the kids by sharing his personal story about growing up with T1D, answering questions and posing for personal photos with each camper. 

Seattle Foundation is proud to administer the Jordan Morris Foundation and support Jordan’s mission in the community. To learn more about Jordan’s story and the programs he offers for kids with T1D, visit www.jordanmorrisfoundation.com. 

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Children and youth,  Health and Wellness,