A special group of visitors provided a lot of smiles Wednesday at San Diego Wave practice.
Triumph Together is a local nonprofit that sets up patients at children’s hospitals with professional and college athletes. They brought four local girls to the Del Mar Polo Fields to watch the Wave practice and spend time with the athletes.
All four — Aubree, Jayce, Zoey and Jocelyn — are either being treated for cancer or are in remission.
“Honestly, it’s a horrible journey that nobody else should have to go through,” Jayce said. “Having them advocate and having a safe space for cancer survivors and people who are still going through treatment, I think that’s amazing, and it makes the journey so much better.”
The girls also designed sneakers with the help of Project Outrun, which they gifted four Wave players: Kailen Sheridan, Trinity Armstrong, Kenza Dali and Makenzy Robbe.
“It’s an honor just to be able spend time with these kids and give them some joy and get to know them,” Armstrong said. “I just think it’s incredible to see them and to give that joy, and they also had so much joy for us.”
The young soccer fans will be guests at Friday’s game against Gotham and will enter Snapdragon alongside the player they now have matching shoes with.
“There are so many people out there whose idols are these soccer players, and we get to meet them. We’re really lucky to be able to do that,” Aubree said. “They’re here supporting us through this not-so-fun journey. It’s amazing how this is just somewhere safe where we come and don’t get judged and have a lot of supporters.”
Oceanside native Jack Gates started Triumph Together while he was a senior in college in 2021. The organization sets up experiences for kids around the country.
“These kids are going through something that no one should ever have to go through,” Gates said. “Having them come out and seeing the smiles on their faces just means the world to these kids and their families.”
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