Philadelphia Union has been uplifted by its fans all season long, and as they approach the second match in their best-of-three playoff series against New England Revolution, the club gave back to its unwavering community by surprising a very special family with a trip to Gillette Stadium with the team.
The Fords have been part of the Philadelphia Union family since 2020 when the club rallied around them to support their son, Kellan, a young soccer fan who had been diagnosed with medulloblastoma at age four. Head Coach Jim Curtin and Kellan’s favorite player, team captain Alejandro Bedoya sent him messages of encouragement as he persevered through chemotherapy treatment, while fans proudly sported lightning bolt tees with the words, “Kellan Strong.”
Through his hard-fought battle, Kellan held onto the hope that he’d one day be able accept the club's invitation to meet the team and watch a game at Subaru Park. The cancer spread to his bone marrow, and despite persistent treatment and his unchanging positive attitude, Kellan passed away on June 11, 2021.
“Our relationship with the Union started after we found out Kellan was terminal. The invitation to invite Kellan to come to the field was something he desperately wanted to do, but at the time, he was five, and it was really hard for him. He said, ‘Mommy, I don't think I can go, and he was kind of heartbroken because he knew we couldn't get there. It was just too painful,” Kristin Ford said. “When they sent the videos and the package, he just lit up. He said, ‘Mom, they’re all Kellan Strong! It was amazing.”
In the first game the Ford family attended after the end of his battle, Bedoya, proudly wearing Kellan’s favorite number and a lightning bolt-patterned kit, scored his first goal of the season.
“It was hard not being able to have experience with and then just after he had passed, that summer, we came down, the four of us actually, and it was our first experience behind the scenes,” Kristin said. “We were in a very tough spot and grieving the loss of our son who wanted to be there, so the start of the relationship was such a pivotal moment in our healing process and it gave us a way to keep Kellan’s memory alive in building new memories because of him.”
The family has been warriors for local pediatric cancer patients since Kellan’s passing, most recently supporting the team’s 2023 Fearless 43 campaign by presenting multiple families with $500 grants to help their child holistically battle cancer.
“Kellan helped us plan our foundation, so a big part for him was integrative therapy, and we couldn't think of a better way this year than to bring integrative therapies to the Fearless 43,” Kristin said. “We can't do any of this without people that are able to donate, contribute, share, and like everything that we're doing. It all comes together and we are so honored to do it in Kellan’s memory.”
On Tuesday, to thank The Fords for their diligent efforts in supporting pediatric cancer patients in the area, Philadelphia Union surprised them with an exclusive opportunity to fly with the team on their chartered flight to New England and stay at the team hotel ahead of the match.
Kristin worked with Allie Gentile, the club’s Director of Community Relations to work out the logistics, crafting an epic surprise for the rest of her family. Kellan’s father, his brother Parker, and his Uncle Jack were awestruck when they realized they’d be taking the trip as part of the team.
“The real shock factor from the time we got to the airport to now, it still hasn't really settled. It's pretty cool to see your idols, especially when they mean a lot to you. It’s special,” Jack said.
The Ford family has been a pillar of the Philadelphia Union community and the club is honored to have them in the crowd watching from the owner’s suite as they take on New England Revolution in the 2023 Audi MLS Cup playoffs.
“I Iike to tell people we found a home in section 102,” Kristin said. “Philadelphia Union was with us in a very difficult time in our lives. The team and how well they've been doing has really just been such a bright light for us.”
