WHITE SOX ANNOUNCE HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS DAY, PRESENTED BY CIBC, ON AUGUST 31
Organization Honors Local Families Impacted by Pediatric Cancer with Gold Ribbon Hat Giveaway, Pregame Recognitions and Special In-Game Bell Ringing Celebration
CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox today announced highlights scheduled for Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, presented by CIBC, on Sunday, August 31 at 1:10 p.m. CT vs. New York Yankees.
In collaboration with RUSH, Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Cal’s Angels, Dragonfly Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI), Special Spaces and other community organizations supporting families impacted by pediatric cancer, the White Sox will dedicate gameday programming to raising awareness for those affected by the disease.
Highlights of the day include:
Gold Ribbon Hat Giveaway – Presented by CIBC, the first 10,000 fans who enter the ballpark will receive the commemorative item.
Pregame Gold Ribbon Formation – In a moving display of solidarity, approximately 100 children impacted by pediatric cancer will join together in center field to form a gold ribbon. Parents and loved ones will rally behind the group cheering them on from the ballpark’s outfield warning track.
Game Ball Delivery – The White Sox will honor 10-year-old Keagyn Schnitz of Yorkville, Ill. who has been courageously undergoing treatment for ewing’s sarcoma since February 2025.
Lineup Card Exchange – Fifteen-year-old Carter Ray, who during a battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia paid forward countless gifts to homeless individuals across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, will join the White Sox for the special pregame experience. In 2021, the Griffith, Ind. native selflessly chose to have a Make-A-Wish granted to his cousins instead of himself. Ray has been cancer free for five years.
Play Ball Announcement – Aidan Munoz, a 15-year-old from Highland, Ind., will announce “play ball” ahead of the game. Munoz was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma in August 2023, and after months of care, he celebrated being cancer-free in December of that same year.
Take the Field Recognition – Seven children served by Cal’s Angels will join White Sox players on the field as they take to their respective defensive positions. The non-profit has raised more than $33 million to bring hope and support to thousands of families throughout Illinois and beyond, and earlier this month, helped invite more than a dozen kids to a heartwarming “Reverse Signing” event at the ballpark. A touching twist on the traditional fan interaction, kids shared custom-designed Topps trading cards as players and coaches from the 2025 White Sox clubhouse collected their autographs.
In-Game Bell Ringing – During the game’s third inning, three children will ring the ballpark’s “cancer-free” bell to mark the end of their treatment journeys:
David Jones, age 2, of Hoffman Estates, Ill., who is completing treatment for AML Leukemia thanks to a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from his sister.
Cody Blair, age 10, diagnosed with T-cell leukemia in 2022, who now celebrates finishing treatment stronger and prouder than ever.
Madelyn Kirchner, age 17, of Harvard, Ill., who has overcome osteosarcoma and is looking forward to joining her classmates back at school for her senior year.
“Childhood Cancer Awareness Day is one of the most meaningful initiatives of our season,” said Christine O’Reilly, White Sox Charities executive director. “We are deeply grateful to CIBC and our non-profit partners, whose dedication makes this day possible. These families’ courage inspires us all, and we hope Sunday’s game raises further awareness and crucial funding to support all those touched by pediatric cancer.”
Families will wear custom-designed gold T-Shirts in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, which feature messages of inspiration and motivation for their respective journeys. Fans also will have the opportunity to purchase a limited quantity of these shirts at the Charities Corner in Section 154, with all net proceeds benefiting Chicago White Sox Charities (CWSC) cancer research and treatment initiatives.
As the White Sox 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, CWSC works tirelessly to lift up those most in need throughout the Chicagoland area. To date, CWSC has donated more than $50 million to non-profit organizations, which includes more than $12 million specifically championing those battling pediatric cancer. For more information, visit whitesox.com/charities and follow along on X at @soxcharities.
Single-game tickets for all White Sox home games as well as full, partial and group ticket packages for the season are available at whitesox.com.
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