WILMINGTON, Del. (Aug. 29, 2024) In an effort to raise awareness for childhood cancer, the Phillies are hosting their eighth annual Childhood Cancer Awareness Night presented by Nemours Children’s Health on Sunday, September 1, before the 7:10 p.m. nationally televised ESPN game against the Atlanta Braves. The special on-field ceremony will begin at 6:35 p.m. and feature heartwarming moments and once-in-a-lifetime experiences for families affected by cancer.
Participants include those who are receiving treatment from Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, as well as those affiliated with the Kisses for Kyle Foundation, which assists families in the Delaware Valley region who are battling childhood cancer with a variety of programs, services and special events.
Members of the Phillies family who have personally been impacted by childhood cancer will take part in the night including second baseman Bryson Stott, who lost his best friend, Cooper Ricciardi, to cancer; infielder Weston Wilson, whose brother, Spencer, has twice overcome a rare tissue cancer; shortstop Trea Turner, a long-time supporter of the V Foundation for Cancer Research; assistant general manager Ned Rice, whose daughter, Wynnie, is battling cancer; and batboy Adam Crognale, a lymphoma survivor who is an advocate for kids with cancer.
Players will also wear Corey’s Promise T-shirts during batting practice in honor of Corey Phelan, a Phillies minor league pitcher who lost his battle to cancer two years ago at the age of 20.
In addition, that evening’s Phillies Charities, Inc. 50/50 Drawing will benefit the Nemours Foundation. Plus, players and on-field personnel will wear gold ribbons and wristbands to support the cause. Also, children 14 and under will receive Phillies Gold Wristbands, along with a Phillies Go Gold print for all fans, at the entrance gates. The event will also be live on @Phillies social media channels and phillies.com.
LINEUP FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS NIGHT PRESENTED BY NEMOURS CHILDREN’S HEALTH
On-field, Pregame:
- Lineup of Courage: Local children who are battling or have battled cancer will take the field with players for the national anthem including Lindsey Diaz (age 16, Bristol, PA), Charlotte Goldthorp, Karina Knowlton (age 4, Mt. Laurel, NJ), Julie Krueger (age 17), Joseph Marzouca (age 6, Newark, DE), Jeziah Oquendo (age 8, Vineland, NJ), Andrew Trouts (age 9, Pipersville, PA), Margarita Valentin (age 19, Philadelphia, PA), Kingston Vo Jones (age 11) and Bentley Waters (age 4).
- Ceremonial Home Run: Margo Macchione (age 6, Wilmington, NJ), who is battling cancer and also the Phillies Ball Kid of the Month, will take a swing and “hit” a home run before rounding the bases in front of Phillies players.
- Go Gold Ribbon in Center Field: Held by family members whose children lost their battle to cancer, along with members of the Phillies front office and Nemours Children’s Health.
- Ceremonial First Pitch: Eric Newton (age 14, Smyrna, DE), which will be caught by Jonathan L. Powell, MD, Nemours Children’s Health pediatric hematologist-oncologist.
- National Anthem: sung by Arianna Barricelli (age 23, Bensalem, PA).
- PhanaVision Video – How Childhood Cancer has Affected the Phillies Family: Members of the Phillies family who were personally impacted by childhood cancer share their stories. Among those featured: Adam Crognale, Ned Rice, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Weston Wilson, and Christie and Chris Phelan, parents of Corey Phelan.
- More Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences: Chase Dolgos (age 16, Wilmington, DE) will announce the Phillies lineup; Samuel Kostoff (age 8, Wallingford, PA) will be honorary public address announcer; and Matthew Bannon (age 17, Springfield, PA) will be a guest DJ.
In-Game:
- 3rd Inning Honorary Base Change: Will be made by Maya Coon (age 16, Lancaster, PA).
- End of 4th Inning – Phanatic Skit: Featuring Beckett Campbell (age 10, Havertown, PA).
- End of 5th Inning – Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Sung by Penny Doyle (age 5, Oreland, PA), Molly Davis (age 5, West Chester, PA) and Guy Garro (age 11, Tabernacle, NJ).
- 6th Inning – Phanatic Dance on Dugout: Finn Davis (age 6, Sellersville, PA), Isaac Tambo (age 12, Lumberton, PA) and Audra Burns (age 9).
- End of 6th Inning – Yellow Ribbon Moment: At the end of the 6th inning, fans will be invited to wave their yellow Go Gold ribbon signs to show support for those who have been affected by cancer.
- 7th Inning - Singing “God Bless America”: Elisha Rodriguez-Ford (age 20, Pennsauken, NJ).
ABOUT NEMOURS CHILDREN’S HEALTH:
Nemours Children’s Health, the official Children’s Hospital of the Phillies, is one of the nation’s largest multistate pediatric health systems, which includes two freestanding children's hospitals and a network of more than 70 primary and specialty care practices. Nemours Children's seeks to transform the health of children by adopting a holistic health model that utilizes innovative, safe, and high-quality care, while also addressing children’s needs well beyond medicine. In producing the highly acclaimed, award-winning pediatric medicine podcast Well Beyond Medicine, Nemours underscores that commitment by featuring the people, programs and partnerships addressing whole child health. Nemours Children's also powers the world’s most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, Nemours KidsHealth.org.
The Nemours Foundation, established through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to the children, families and communities it serves. For more information, visit Nemours.org.
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CONTACTS:
Deb Rinaldi, Phillies, drinaldi@phillies.com, 267-408-9545
Leah Goodwyne, Nemours Children’s Health, leah.goodwyne@nemours.org, 904-676-2229
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