Chester – On Saturday, the Philadelphia Union offered 43 warriors a bit of reprieve and joy as part of their annual Kick Childhood Cancer/Fearless 43 celebration during the Union’s match with the New England Revolution.

It is estimated that over 400,000 children are diagnosed with some form of cancer each year. Those survivors may experience a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional late effects from their disease and treatment, as well as an increased risk of second cancers according to the American Cancer Society.

The event has gone through many names over the years, but it has always been something the Philadelphia Union have felt strongly about since their inception in 2010. Back then, the event had a different name and was at one point required by Major League Soccer for clubs to participate in. While the league no longer requires teams, Philadelphia has kept the annual tradition alive and well.

The Fearless 43 began in 2019 thanks to then–Director of Community Relations for the Philadelphia Union, Alexandra Gentile, as part of the annual Kick Childhood Cancer initiative. Gentile connected with Sharon Snyder of Kisses for Kyle, and the impactful annual event was born.

The Fearless 43 name comes from the number of children diagnosed daily with cancer. While that number is now higher, the name remains the same. For the last seven years, the Union have partnered with Kisses for Kyle to work with 43 childhood cancer patients in the greater Philadelphia area, making the event happen for 43 “warriors” and their families.

Sharon Snyder, executive director of the Kisses for Kyle Foundation, began the foundation in 2001 in honor of her son, Kyle Snyder, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 1998. After going into remission, Kyle suffered a relapse seven months later and passed away just a month after that, following an eight-month battle with cancer.

She started the foundation with the mission of helping families whose children are facing a cancer diagnosis by supporting the entire family unit. The foundation provides financial support but also emotional support. What started with a handful of families and programs has now grown significantly.

“We’re now in our 24th year and we’re partnered with about 150 major community partners in the tri-state region,” Snyder said. “We’re helping about 3,300 family members. We have 48 different program services, special opportunities. Some financial, all emotional. Everybody needs the emotional support, not everyone needs the financial, but there are a lot of different programs for the financial aspects.”

Soon after the Union started playing at Subaru Park, the club connected early on with Snyder about being part of the annual event.

“We met and just started talking about Kisses for Kyle, about the Union, about bringing families out,” said Snyder. “And they were very interested in learning the story, learning our mission, learning how to help our families. So they introduced me to others here and they started doing something in September. It wasn’t what it is now. It developed over time and we were one of, I believe, four different nonprofits that they worked with.”

When the Union decided in 2019 to start the Fearless 43, they asked Snyder to nominate 43 warriors each year to be celebrated. She agreed, and the rest, as they say, is history.

“None of us can understand a trauma unless we live it,” said Snyder. “So our families, whose children are on treatment and off of treatment, also breed families. They get to experience that break and they get to experience being together with those that understand it and surrounded by people who lift them up. The whole Union organization—front office, the players, the coaches, the staff, everybody here. They become like that way, and they know their names, they welcome them.”

The festivities for the warriors and their families kicked off last Friday afternoon at Union Yards, which was transformed into a carnival-like atmosphere. There were games and activities for everyone to enjoy, along with face painting, a petting zoo, and food for all.

In addition, there were various organizations handing out gifts to the 43 warriors and their families.

The Kellan Ford Foundation, named after Kellan Ford who passed away from brain cancer in June 2021 after a nine-month battle, provided baskets with teddy bears and other goodies for everyone.

The foundation’s mission is the charitable advancement of education and science—specifically to raise awareness and funds to support childhood cancer research, holistic cancer care, palliative care, and hospice care, with the goal of improving and supporting the lives of children and their families living with a cancer diagnosis.

In 2022, the foundation collaborated with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to curate a “Happiness Box” for patients to take home from the clinic or hospital. The box includes tools to continue supportive therapies at home.

Prior to Saturday’s match, the Ford family were honored and banged the pregame drum as Union supporters at Subaru Park chanted “Union,” a staple of the team’s pregame festivities.

Ryan’s Case for Smiles, started by Cindy Kerr, who began making pillowcases for her son, Ryan, to brighten up his hospital stays, has grown into a volunteer organization with the sole focus of helping sick children cope with their illness and injuries. They provided pillowcases filled with games and activities for the children and their siblings.

Blood Cancer United, which partnered with Subaru as part of the Subaru Loves to Care® initiative, was also in attendance providing resources and gifts.

Blood cancers, which include leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, are among the most common cancers globally and are the most common type of cancer in children, according to the American Cancer Society.

The Philadelphia Union also provided 43 Voltage kits with “Fearless 43” on the back for the warriors to pick up ahead of Saturday’s match.

But the main story in all of this was the impact it had on the families and the warriors. During my time at Union Yards, there was not a frown to be seen as the space was filled with families, laughter, and excitement.

The Fearless 43 ran around playing, eating, and smiling. Parents watched with joy as their children enjoyed the day—that was the true magic of the carnival, as I stood there taking it all in.

On Saturday, prior to the match against the New England Revolution, the 43 warriors participated in a pregame tailgate with their families. They were recognized at halftime as a full house of fans waved Kick Childhood Cancer flags, capping off a magical weekend.

“It puts a lot of things into perspective,” said Philadelphia Union midfielder Indiana Vassilev when asked post-match about the day.

So while the Union ended up winning 1-0, that was not the story. The story was the impact the organization made on those children and their families over those two days—giving them reprieve from what is going on in their lives, and offering hope, comfort, and encouragement.

And that is something you can put in the win column any day of the week.

See more: Photos from the Fearless 43 Carnival by the Kisses for Kyle Foundation

Donate to Support the Cause

If you would like to contribute to any of the organizations mentioned in this article, here are their donation pages:

Blood Cancer United – Donate Here

Kisses for Kyle Foundation – Donate Here

Kellan Ford Foundation – Donate Here

Ryan’s Case for Smiles – Donate Here

Main Article Photo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Union