As the Phillies continue to battle for the National League East title, a different battle will take center stage on Saturday night, a battle that has affected far too many people. Throughout the Delaware Valley, there are families that have received news of a terrible word no one ever wants to hear: cancer.
In 2025, nearly 10,000 children under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States alone. Saturday night, the Phillies and Nemours Children’s Health are coming together for their annual Childhood Cancer Awareness Night. The night will be dedicated to celebrating the courage, patience, and resilience of the children and families battling childhood cancer and receiving treatment at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware.
The Lineup of Courage
In attendance Saturday night will be many local children who are or have battled cancer in their lifetime. Ten children will take the field pre-game for the lineup of courage: Michael Gallagher (age 9, Cinnaminson, NJ), Charlotte Long (age 5, Wilmington, DE),Hadleigh McCarthy (age 4, Aberdeen, MD), Owen McQuillan (age 18), Candace Saxon (age 18, Ulster, PA), Tristan Sheehan (Mount Laurel, NJ), Roman Schmid (age 14), Alex Skumpija (age 14, Warminster, PA), Allayah Tolliver (age 4), and Chloe Winters (age 15, Abington, PA).
Also before the game begins, Finnegan Ford (age 4, Wilmington, DE) will take the field as the Go Gold Home Run Hitter. Ford will step in the batter’s box and take a swing, hitting a home run to round the bases in front of both Phillies and Kansas City Royals players. Vishaal Addaganti (age 10) will then take the mound to throw a ceremonial first pitch to his doctor, Nemours Children’s Health pediatric hematologist-oncologist Dr. Nicholas Manini.
Elisha Rodriguez-Ford (age 21, Pennsauken, NJ) will sing the National Anthem while Ayva Dudle (age 15, Lansdale, PA) will be the starting lineup announcer alongside Dan Baker.
In-game, there will be several moments of recognition as well, beginning with the top of the first inning when Maddie Lynam (age 21) will be the honorary public address announcer. At the end of the first, Madison Hallaham (age 14, Clayton, NJ) will be the honorary Phanavision DJ, playing her favorite tunes.
Mia Gravino (age 13) will have the honor of joining the grounds crew for the honorary base change after the third inning concludes. Later on, Hunter Keller (age 7, Stroudsburg, PA) will join the Phillie Phanatic in an on-stage skit. During the seventh inning stretch, the trio of Emilia Isaacs (age 6, Havertown, PA), Frankie Wilson (age 11, Chalfont, PA), and Naomi Karr (age 10, Bryn Mawr, PA) will lead the stadium in a round of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The final on-field spotlight for Childhood Cancer Awareness Night will come in the form of the Phanatic Dance on Dugout after the seventh inning, where the Phanatic will have a crew featuring Patrick Reithmeier (age 6, Mount Laurel, NJ), Ryan Newman (age 14, Huntingdon Valley, PA) and Sloane Capaldo (age 7, Philadelphia, PA).
All of the children involved in the action have received treatment from the Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware.
This is personal
In addition to the role of current childhood cancer patients and families on the night, there will be several moments throughout the night to reflect. During the pre-game tribute, members of the Phillies’ front office and Nemours Children’s Health will stand together, wielding a Go Gold ribbon in center field.
There will also be a video tribute shown on the Phanavision showing how childhood cancer has affected the Phillies family. The video will feature Bryson Stott, who lost his best friend Cooper Ricciardi, Weston Wilson, whose brother Spencer survived two bouts with cancer and has an ESPN E:60 special about him, Trea Turner, Phillies’ Vice President of Baseball Operations and Assistant General Manager Ned Rice, and Christie and Chris Phelan, the parents of Corey Phelan, a former Phillies minor leaguer who passed away at age 20 due to cancer.
On their way into the ballparks, fans will be given Go Gold ribbon prints. At the end of the sixth inning, fans will be asked to wave their ribbons together in solidarity and support for all who have been affected by cancer.
Two additional organizations that operate in the Delaware Valley will be on site on Saturday. The Kisses for Kyle Foundation helps assist families who are battling childhood cancer with numerous services and events. Michaels Waywill also be present as an organization that helps cover non-medical expenses for families so they can focus on the child’s care and healing.
Back to Baseball
Taijuan Walker will take the mound for the Phillies against Royals right-hander Ryan Bergert. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. as the Phillies look for their sixth straight win and fifth consecutive series victory.
