One year ago our Union family lost Maddie Harris, one of the team’s most cherished supporters, to pediatric cancer. In her memory, we invite all of our fans to donate to Kisses For Kyle in Maddie’s name by clicking here.
In anticipation of Saturday’s Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup against FC Cincinnati, Philadelphia Union continued its commitment to honoring its fan base by naming another Strike Gold Playoff family to join them on their postseason push.
In November 2022, the Union community lost Maddie Harris, one of the team’s most cherished supporters, to pediatric cancer. In her memory, the club invited her family to accompany the team on the trip to Cincinnati, where they’ll support the Boys in Blue from the stands in TQL Stadium.
“It's all so overwhelming. When we got the call about this trip last week, I was driving and my jaw just dropped. I didn't realize that it was even something that a team could do, to reach out to us and be there for us knowing that it's coming up on her one year anniversary and knowing that these couple of weeks are very, very hard for us. Being here takes that out of the equation almost for us, because this is just where we know she would love for us to be,” said her mom, Cindy.
“When we just landed and we were driving in on the bus, I could see a rainbow in the sky. It was the smallest of rainbows, but I know that she is here with us right now and she would love every single minute of this. She knows that our Philadelphia Union is still here taking care of us and loving us.”
Maddie was diagnosed with grade 3 brain stem glioma at eight years old, bravely embarking on her battle against the disease through chemotherapy in 2018. She was first introduced to the Philadelphia Union through Kisses for Kyle in 2020 when she was honored as a Subaru Love Promise Playmaker during Kick Childhood Cancer month. The following year, her special connection to the team blossomed when she took part in the club’s annual Fearless 43 initiative, enjoying game days at Subaru Park, training visits, and more. Through her steadfast support of the team and unwavering positivity, she built relationships with team captain Alejandro Bedoya and former homegrown and fellow New Jersey native Paxten Aaronson, who swiftly joined in her fight against cancer.
In 2022, Bedoya wore her name on his captain’s armband through the entire month of September to remind her of the Union’s support and Paxten gifted her a custom Kick Childhood Cancer jersey to sport during her ongoing treatment. Off the pitch, the Aaaronson family even arranged a surprise meet and greet.
“I know that the players understand but I wonder if they really understand how much it means for the kids and the families. Aside from the fact that the kids are going through cancer, they can’t go on vacations, they can’t go to school, they can’t see their friends. To kind of escape from reality, go to a game, maybe get to do some things that other people don’t get to do, you kind of get your head out of all the doctor's appointments and things like that,” her father, Dan said.
“I remember after the game where Paxten gave Maddie the shirt, when everything was all said and done, we got back into the car, we got a notification from CHOP about an upcoming appointment. It's like you're in this fantasy world and then you get back into the car and you’re back to reality. For those three hours, you're completely away from it.”
Despite mounting health challenges, Maddie’s passion for the team never faltered, cheering from the sidelines and heckling referees in true Philadelphia sports fan fashion.
On November 29th, 2022, Maddie’s battle came to an end, but her memory is woven into the fabric of the Philadelphia Union organization.
“Maddie’s usually the lucky charm,” Cindey said. “One day, Coach Curtin came up to her one game and said I think you're our lucky charm and that made her that made her whole day. Her whole everything.”
Maddie Harris is an irreplaceable part 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 FC Cincinnati in the 2023 Audi MLS Cup playoffs.
