Major League Baseball Honors Childhood Cancer Awareness Day

Major League Baseball and its Clubs will honor childhood cancer awareness across ballparks nationwide on Sunday, September 6^th and throughout the month of September. Hosted during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, this MLB Together effort (MLBTogether.com) will support the cause with ceremonial and community-based activities, including outreach to local hospitals treating young patients. Nonprofit partners for Clubs include local hospital partners or organizations focused on childhood cancer, such as Stand Up To Cancer and Starlight Children’s Foundation.

On Childhood Cancer Awareness Day (Sunday, September 6^th), ballparks will complement the traditional gameday presentation with customized gear and meaningful tributes:

• MLB’s in-ballpark efforts include a special video, produced by MLB Network, that will be featured on the scoreboard in Major League Baseball ballparks across the country, found HERE.
• On-field personnel, including players, managers, coaches and umpires will wear gold ribbon decals on the field and have the option to wear gold wristbands from Franklin Sports.
• Commemorative base jewels and lineup cards featured on the day will also be used.
• MLB Clubs will be recognizing Childhood Cancer Awareness Day locally in their ballparks with activation details at the end of the release. Clubs on the road on September 6^th may select another home game to observe Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

CHILDHOOD CANCER FACTS:

• In 2026, approximately 9,700 children under the age of 14 are projected to receive a cancer diagnosis in the United States.
• Across all demographics, cancer is the second-leading cause of death in children ages 1-14, and the leading cause of death due to disease.
• Childhood cancer is not one disease. The most common types of childhood cancer include leukemias, brain and central nervous system tumors and lymphomas.
• Over the past five decades, cancer researchers have developed treatments that have greatly changed the lives of children with cancer. The five-year survival rate for childhood cancer is now 85%, compared to 58% in the mid-1970’s.

As an extension of MLB’s relationship with Starlight Children’s Foundation, all 30 Club markets will be receiving a Starlight Gaming Handheld, powered by Nintendo, which will be donated to a local children’s hospital, hospital pediatric cancer care unit, or a pediatric cancer nonprofit organization. To learn more, visit MLBTogether.com/childhoodcancer and Starlight.org/mlb.

As Stand Up To Cancer’s founding donor in 2008, Major League Baseball and its Clubs have pledged more than $50 million to SU2C’s collaborative cancer research programs. The work of the Stand Up To Cancer – St. Baldrick’s Foundation Pediatric Cancer Dream Team, launched in 2013, helped pioneer the development of a cutting-edge immunotherapy treatment for a type of pediatric leukemia. This immunotherapy is now widely used to treat several cancer types. MLB has recognized SU2C at its Jewel Events since the 2009 World Series.

2026 Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Club Plans

Arizona Diamondbacks

On Saturday, September 12^th, the Arizona Diamondbacks will host Childhood Cancer Awareness Day at Chase Field during their game against the Texas Rangers. The day will begin with a $100,000 check presentation to Phoenix Children's and the donation of 350 tickets to families from Camp Rainbow. These young patients will take center stage throughout the day by throwing the ceremonial first pitch, announcing "Play Ball," joining players on the field for the National Anthem, serving as Honorary Captains and competing in the Hot Dog Derby. Stadium fan experiences will include 500 gold foam hands and a coordinated "STEP UP. STOP CANCER." placard recognition. Additionally, players wore custom cleats designed by Phoenix Children's patients during the August 31^st game and will for the September 12^th game. They will be auctioned off from September 7^th to September 14^th.

Athletics

In the lead-up to Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, the Athletics visited Keaton's Child Cancer Alliance on August 29^th to unveil a Starlight Nintendo Switch donated in partnership with MLB and Starlight Children's Foundation. Then on September 7^th, the A's will host their ballpark recognition, welcoming families from Family House, a nonprofit providing free housing for families during pediatric cancer treatment, for batting practice and a player meet-and-greet. Keaton's Child Cancer Alliance was highlighted as the Nonprofit Partner of the Game, with one of their supported families throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves will honor children who are currently fighting cancer and those who have courageously battled the disease during Childhood Cancer Awareness Day presented by RaceTrac on Sunday, September 13^th, at Truist Park. Childhood cancer fighters and survivors will receive two complimentary tickets and a commemorative hat through braves.com/ccawareness. Families participating in the ticket package will also enjoy access to an exclusive pregame party in Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Park and will be invited to take part in a special pregame parade around the warning track. As part of the pregame ceremony, 30 fighters and survivors from Camp Sunshine will stand alongside both teams on the baselines during the national anthem. The weekend series playbill will also feature artwork created by childhood cancer fighters and survivors across Braves Country, while RaceTrac will host special guests for pregame hospitality in the Atlanta Braves Foundation Community Clubhouse. In addition, a childhood cancer survivor or healthcare provider will be recognized with a front-row Dream Seats experience. In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Atlanta Braves Foundation will also provide grants to Camp Sunshine and CURE Childhood Cancer to continue their mission in the fight against pediatric cancer.

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles partnered with Hyundai’s Hope on Wheels Foundation for Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, featuring an on-field check presentation to a local Baltimore hospital and hosting pediatric cancer patients for special experiences like throwing the first pitch, leading the "Play Ball!" call and serving as the Kid Guest Splasher. Patients from local nonprofits and hospitals also stood alongside players on the field for the national anthem during the "Kids Take the Field" ceremony. As part of the event's local outreach, 100 tickets were donated across organizations including the Ulman Foundation, the University of Maryland Medical Center and the Children's Cancer Foundation, with the Ulman Foundation tabling on-site. Additionally, fundraising efforts centered around an online Orioles auction, with all proceeds directly benefiting the Ulman Foundation.

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox Go Gold Childhood Cancer Awareness Game on Wednesday, September 2^nd will host 300 guests from local organizations with game tickets and official Go Gold shirts. The pregame festivities will feature all 300 participants coming together in the outfield for a Go Gold Ribbon formation. Key ceremonial roles include 10 patients from the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation acting as Anthem All-Stars, a patient from the Jimmy Fund Clinic throwing the ceremonial first pitch and two kids from The Boston House shouting "Play Ball!" to lead off the game. The hosted groups will span several area organizations including The Jimmy Fund, Children's Brain Tumor Foundation, One Mission, Hasbro Children's Hospital, The Boston House and Christopher's Haven.

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Charities will donate $140,000 to support organizations serving pediatric cancer patients through proceeds from Cubs for a Cure. Cubs for a Cure is a multiday fundraising effort that was hosted at Wrigley Field earlier this season in partnership with Advocate Health Care, AbbVie and Audacy, to raise funds for the fight against cancer.

Chicago White Sox

On Sunday, September 6^th, the Chicago White Sox will host Childhood Cancer Awareness Day to honor courageous young patients and raise support for pediatric cancer research and advocacy. In partnership with community organizations like Make-A-Wish Illinois, Cal’s Angels and Ronald McDonald House Charities, the team has donated over 300 tickets to impacted families. Game-day highlights include a warning-track parade, a pregame yellow ribbon formation in center field and special ceremonial roles for pediatric champions including a post-second-inning bell-ringing ceremony celebrating three children who have completed their treatment. Additionally, White Sox Ultimate Wish recipient Melanie Martinez, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, designed a special hat giveaway for the first 10,000 fans (presented by CIBC). Her neurosurgeon, Dr. Dimitrios Nikas, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. This special day builds on the team's ongoing community efforts, which recently featured a "Reverse Signing" event where Sox players and coaches eagerly collected autographs from young fans on custom Topps trading cards, highlighting the enduring strength of these resilient children and their families.

Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds will mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on September 6^th with a series of special pregame and in-game events, headlined by the Champions of Courage lap around the bases and a check presentation benefitting the Reds Community Fund and CancerFree KIDS. Other highlights include a Starlight Children's Foundation donation to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and a first pitch experience from the Dragonfly Foundation. Four-year-old cancer survivor Noah Cassion will be throwing a first pitch to his Cincinnati Children's Hospital pediatric oncologist, Dr. Richard Suarez, a former collegiate baseball player who transitioned to the medical field following his own cancer diagnosis and recovery. Additionally, CancerFree KIDS will engage fans with tabling in the Fan Zone throughout the day.

Cleveland Guardians

Throughout September, the Cleveland Guardians are teaming up with Cleveland Clinic and VeloSano to support cancer research and honor pediatric patients. The month’s initiatives lead off during pregame ceremonies featuring a ceremonial first pitch thrown by a pediatric cancer patient and a $10,000 donation to Cleveland Clinic Children’s, funded through sales of the Club's season-long Family Value Pack. Major community fundraising efforts will center around Progressive Field on September 19^th when the team hosts the 10^th Annual VeloSano Family Ride, supporting an initiative that has generated over $10 million for Cleveland Clinic cancer research. The momentum continues September 20^th with a special pregame ceremony honoring the Guardians VeloSano team, celebrating their impressive milestone of raising more than $3 million over the past decade.

Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies will honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Day by hosting children battling cancer to watch their September 6^th home game from a suite at Coors Field. These children were previously given a special experience at Rockies Spring Training earlier in 2026 and will be reunited with each other for some game day fun. The Rockies also donated a VR headset through the Starlight Children’s Foundation to Children’s Hospital Colorado, as well as provided Children’s Hospital Colorado with a $50,000 grant earlier this year.

Detroit Tigers

Throughout the 2026 season, the Detroit Tigers demonstrated a steadfast commitment to supporting young patients and families affected by pediatric cancer, culminating in a dedicated series of initiatives for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. The Tigers built momentum all summer long through meaningful hands-on engagement, beginning with player-led hospital visits to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan by pitcher Tyler Holton and team representatives in May, which inspired young patients to create artwork that was proudly displayed in the Tigers Clubhouse. The Club hosted a dedicated Childhood Cancer Awareness Game in May featuring youth from Kids Kicking Cancer on the field, provided a dream game-day experience for a patient family in June and welcomed young heroes to Comerica Park in late August for a specialized martial arts class with PAWS and a unique Topps "Reverse Autograph Signing" with Tigers players. This season-long dedication reaches its peak in September, as PAWS team staff and the Rally Cats visit C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital will distribute handmade Fleece and ‘Thank You’ blankets and reveal the donated Tigers-branded Nintendo Switch console for the Pediatric Cancer Unit in partnership with MLB and Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Houston Astros

The Astros began Childhood Cancer Awareness Month on Tuesday, September 1^st when six-year-old cancer warrior Parker B. from Sky High for Kids threw out a ceremonial first pitch. A portion of the proceeds from the September 1^st Share2Care 50/50 Raffle went to Sky High for Kids. The Astros and the Astros Foundation will then dedicate their Sunday, September 6^th game against the Diamondbacks to recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. There will be two pregame ceremonies, including dropping a yellow ribbon for childhood cancer awareness from the Phillips 66 Home Run pump with kids from Camp H-Town. There will also be check presentations for Big Love Cancer Care, Sunshine Kids, Camp H-Town and Ronald McDonald House. Two ceremonial pitches will also honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, with kids from Big Love and Ronald McDonald House throwing out the first pitches. The pregame Play Ball Call will come from Sunshine Kids while the Chevy Base Stealer will come from Big Love Cancer Care. Kids from Sunshine Kids and Camp H-Town will also take the field that morning with the Astros. A portion of the proceeds from Sunday’s Share2Care 50/50 Raffle will go to Big Love Cancer Care.

Kansas City Royals

On September 6^th, Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, the Kansas City Royals will dedicate their game at Kauffman Stadium to local families and organizations in the fight against pediatric cancer. During the game, local organization Braden’s Hope will host 30 of their "Hope Heroes", children who are currently battling or have survived cancer, for a special on-field presentation. Highlights of the pregame ceremonies include a pediatric cancer patient throwing out the ceremonial First Pitch, another child calling "Play Ball" and seven kids running out to their positions alongside Royals players for "Kids Take the Field." Beyond the on-field festivities, ticket packages are being provided to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City and HopeKids, both of which will host informational concourse tables for fans. The Royals will also recognize an impactful champion in the childhood cancer community in the Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat. Finally, during an extended break in the middle of the fourth inning, players, staff, broadcasters, umpires and fans will stand in unity for the annual "We Give Hope to" moment, holding up signs displaying the names of loved ones affected by cancer.

Los Angeles Angels

Throughout September, the Los Angeles Angels will recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness through multiple ballpark events and community initiatives. On September 1^st, the Halos partnered with Southern California Hyundai Dealers to host pediatric cancer patients from MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach during their game against the New York Yankees. Angels’ outfielder Wade Meckler visited Miller Children’s before Tuesday’s game to meet with patients participating in the Hyundai Hope on Wheels program. Together, they placed their handprints on vehicles that transported the patients and their families to the stadium. During the pregame ceremony on September 17^th against the Minnesota Twins, the Angels will present a $20,000 check to the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Institute. Across the 2026 season, Angels players visited patients at MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital and hosted children from around the nation for unforgettable game-day experiences, including joining players on the field for team stretch and batting practice.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers will welcome nine pediatric cancer patients and their families from UCLA Health to UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium for a special “Reverse Trading Card” activation hosted by Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips. In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Night, Dodgers players will wear custom shirts during batting practice featuring artwork created by pediatric cancer patients. As part of the evening’s pregame festivities, the nine UCLA Health patients will join Dodgers players on the field for the national anthem as part of the “Lineup of Courage,” followed by a special on-field recognition honoring their strength and courage. The evening will also include special seating for UCLA Health patients, families and staff, as well as a scoreboard tribute showcasing player portraits and artwork created by pediatric cancer patients from UCLA Health.

Miami Marlins

As part of Major League Baseball’s league-wide Childhood Cancer Awareness Day initiative to raise awareness and support children and families impacted by childhood cancer, the Miami Marlins will host a special day at loanDepot park for pediatric patients, their families and physicians from UHealth Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s alex’s place. The day will include special behind-the-scenes and pregame experiences designed to create meaningful memories for participating children and recognize those impacted by childhood cancer. Earlier this season, Marlins outfielder Esteury Ruiz visited pediatric patients at Sylvester’s alex’s place in celebration of National Coloring Book Day, where he spent the morning coloring baseball-themed artwork and engaging with young patients and their families. The artwork created by the patients was used to design a special T-shirt that Marlins players will wear for pregame activities on Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on Sept. 6. Pregame ceremonies will feature special experiences and honors for pediatric patients, their families and physicians, including ceremonial first pitches, a clubhouse experience with players, a starting lineup appearance and the “Play Ball” announcement. A physician from UHealth Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center will also be featured in an interview on Marlins.TV, and patients will be recognized during a special in-game moment. These impactful moments are hosted in partnership with local organizations such as UHealth Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, alex’s place and the University of Miami Health System.

Milwaukee Brewers

Northwestern Mutual and the Milwaukee Brewers will recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month during a special series at American Family Field from September 11^th to 13^th. Throughout the weekend, the Brewers will donate $1 from every ticket sold to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) to support childhood cancer research. Fans can also contribute by rounding up purchases at Brewers Team Store locations and concessions or by participating in the 50/50 raffle, with proceeds benefiting ALSF. Children and families affected by childhood cancer will be celebrated through special recognitions and memorable ballpark experiences across all three games. A highlight of the weekend will take place on Saturday, September 12^th, when 26 childhood cancer champions will participate in a special on-field pregame cap swap ceremony. Each child will receive an autographed Brewers cap featuring the Childhood Cancer Awareness yellow ribbon patch and will stand alongside Brewers players during the national anthem. Additional Saturday activities include a Brewers pregame show interview with Steve Radke, President of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, a game ball delivery, a Childhood Cancer Awareness t-shirt toss and parachute drop featuring participating champions and a full buyout of the Northwestern Mutual Legends Club for childhood cancer champions, their families, medical teams and support networks. Across all three days of Childhood Cancer Awareness Weekend, childhood cancer champions will also take part in special game-day experiences, including throwing out ceremonial first pitches, serving as junior announcers and holding the finish line at the Famous Racing Sausage Race, creating meaningful moments that highlight their strength and resilience while raising awareness for the cause.

Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins will honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on Wednesday, September 2^nd by welcoming hundreds of patients and families to Target Field. Player photos on the video board will be replaced by drawings from local pediatric cancer patients, and patients participated in a special on-field pregame ceremony, including kids starting lineup, a ceremonial first pitch and a ceremonial first run of the game. Pregame ceremonies celebrated the work of organizations, including HopeKids, Children's Cancer Research Fund, INDY Foundation and more. Later during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Twins players along with T.C. Bear will visit patients at Children's Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital.

New York Mets

On September 16^th, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation will host an employee engagement event for Mets volunteers in partnership with the Jessie Rees Foundation to pack "JoyJars" for kids actively fighting cancer with toys, games and activities for distribution to local pediatric cancer patients. Additionally, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation supported Sunrise Association’s day camp programs for pediatric cancer patients and their siblings, including the camp’s Color Wars week this summer. The Amazin’ Mets Foundation has provided $238,000 in grants to Sunrise Association to date, supporting their mission to bring back the joys of childhood to children with cancer.

New York Yankees

In honor of Children’s Cancer Awareness Month, the Yankees have contributed funding for a Starlight entertainment module at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) to provide comfort and normalcy for young patients as they undergo treatment. The Yankees will also host CHAM families impacted by a cancer diagnosis with seats in the Judge’s Chambers for the last regular season game of the season. Additionally, the Yankees are working in conjunction with Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital to identify a pediatric cancer patient for a VIP experience, culminating in a special pregame bell-ringing ceremony to joyously recognize the conclusion of their cancer treatment.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies and Nemours Children’s Health will team up for their 10^th annual Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on Sunday, September 6^th at Citizens Bank Park, featuring heartwarming moments and once-in-a-lifetime experiences for children and families affected by cancer at that day’s game against the Atlanta Braves. An on-field tribute will celebrate the courage, strength and resilience of childhood cancer warriors receiving treatment from Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware or affiliated with Kisses for Kyle Foundation. Featured moments include a Lineup of Courage, ceremonial home run and first pitch and the unfurling of a giant Go Gold ribbon. Members of the Phillies family who have been personally impacted by childhood cancer will be featured in a video, including Bryson Stott, who lost his best friend Cooper Ricciardi to cancer; Trea Turner, a longtime supporter of the V Foundation; and batboy Adam Crognale, a lymphoma survivor and advocate for children with cancer, among others. In advance of Sunday’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, the Phillies will also host a pep rally at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware for patients and hospital staff.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates are hosting kiddos and families through two local organizations - Lending Hearts and One Day to Remember - for a full pregame takeover (National Anthem, First Pitch, Playball, Kids Take the Field, etc.). In addition, the Pirates will be facilitating a Stand Up to Cancer moment during the 5^th inning, which will include the Pirates and Angels and their broadcast teams. They will also be hosting nearly a dozen local cancer support organizations for a resource fair in the ballpark to share their mission and available resources with fans in attendance.

San Diego Padres

The Padres are recognizing Childhood Cancer Awareness Day by partnering with UC San Diego Health to host children diagnosed with cancer at the home game on September 6^th. The children will participate in various pregame ceremony activities, including serving as the “Play Ball Kid” and delivering the game ball. After the ceremonies, the children and their families will enjoy the game from a suite with complimentary food and beverages.

San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants will host Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day on Sunday, September 13^th, in partnership with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. More than 500 guests, including patients, families, oncology nurses and physicians representing more than a dozen hospitals and nonprofit organizations, will join the Giants at Oracle Park for the annual event. Throughout the game, Giants players’ traditional scoreboard headshots will be replaced by hand-drawn portraits created by local pediatric cancer patients and survivors. Pregame ceremonies will include a ceremonial bellringing, symbolizing the completion of treatment, led by a young patient alongside their care team. The moment will lead into a ballpark-wide wave to patients watching via livestream from nearby UCSF facilities. Pediatric patients will also join Giants players on the field for the National Anthem, serve as honorary captains and participate in the ceremonial first pitch.

Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners will support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month through a September 4^th visit to Seattle Children's Hospital with Starlight Children's Foundation and Nintendo. Mariners players will visit with patients and families, while the Club will also raise funds on September 4^th for FACCI Home through the sale of 100 special hero boxes at the Bid For Impact auction at T-Mobile Park. Proceeds will support FACCI Home in the Dominican Republic, a longtime Mariners community partner whose work providing housing and care for children undergoing cancer treatment is supported by players and staff.

St. Louis Cardinals

On Wednesday, August 26^th, the St. Louis Cardinals hosted their Childhood Cancer Awareness Day ahead of the national awareness date on September 6^th. The special event began with Cardinals First Baseman Alec Burleson welcoming guests from The Bennett Project for an exclusive field visit and meet-and-greet as part of his Burly’s Lil Biscuits player ticket program. The Club also distributed hundreds of community tickets to children fighting cancer, their families and the dedicated healthcare professionals who treat them. The pregame ceremonies featured several inspirational community figures including Five-year-old Charli Rollins, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age two and is scheduled to ring the treatment completion bell on October 19^th, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch alongside her parents and nursing staff from Mercy. Three-year-old Reagan Kennemer, who has been battling leukemia over the past year, delivered the official lineup card. The team also presented its ‘Pitching In Award’ to the Kellsie’s Hope Foundation in recognition of their outstanding support for the childhood cancer community. During the game, the Cardinals hosted a special salute to honor the pediatric cancer community and invited guests and the ballpark got to witness a monumental moment for Shania Green, a 22-year-old patient at the Mercy Kids and Young Adult Cardinals Cancer Center, who participated in a bell-ringing ceremony to signal the official completion of her chemotherapy treatments for stage two Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays will recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with a visit to the new pediatric clinic at Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health in St. Petersburg, Florida, to present a Starlight Nintendo Switch, donated in partnership with Major League Baseball and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Texas Rangers

In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, the Texas Rangers will welcome a group from Hope Kids as our special guests for the September 6th game. Continuing these efforts later in the month, the organization will host its official Stand Up To Cancer activation alongside additional childhood cancer awareness activities during the September 19th game.

Toronto Blue Jays

While the Blue Jays are on the road on September 6^th, the Club will acknowledge Childhood Cancer Awareness Day at Rogers Centre on Sunday, September 13^th. The Blue Jays will host children and families who have been affected by cancer and are connected to Childhood Cancer Canada (CCC) in the Jays Care Community Clubhouse. During the pregame ceremony, nine of the children will participate in the pregame starting lineup, each standing with a Blue Jays player on the field for national anthems. Content about the organization and Childhood Cancer Awareness Day will also be shared in-stadium.

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals started Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month with a visit to Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital. Nationals players, including Andrew Alvarez, Cade Cavalli, Drew Millas and Jacob Young, visited patients and their families in the pediatric oncology unit to spread a bit of happiness, hand out gifts, snap pictures, sign autographs and play games. Additionally, ahead of their Sept. 1 game at Nationals Park, the Club hosted kiddos from the Children’s Inn at NIH, which provides free lodging, meals and support programs for children with rare diseases enrolled in NIH clinical research studies. The Nationals and Toyota presented a check to the Children’s Inn at NIH ahead of the game, and Triseanna and Berkeley – patients at Children’s Inn – threw out the ceremonial first pitch and made the call to “Play ball!” respectively.