FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution Charitable Foundation announced today that it will launch “Kelyn’s NEGU Crew” – a five-game program that will give young cancer patients associated with the Jessie Rees Foundation a unique and memorable gameday experience. Spearheaded by Revolution midfielder Kelyn Rowe, a longtime supporter of the Jessie Rees Foundation, “Kelyn’s NEGU Crew” will debut this Sunday when the Revolution host the LA Galaxy at Gillette Stadium. After the game, Rowe will meet with Mikey Kirchdorfer, a seven-year old boy old who has been battling a rare form of brain cancer for more than a year.
The acronym NEGU stands for “Never Ever Give Up”, a phrase adopted from the Jessie Rees Foundation, an organization that ensures every child fighting cancer has the support and resources they need to never ever give up. “Kelyn’s NEGU Crew” aims to give each child a memorable experience as they continue their brave fight against this deadly disease.
The highlight of each “Kelyn’s NEGU Crew” experience will be a postgame walk around the field with Rowe as he thanks the fans. Earlier this season, Rowe shared a special moment with Liam Fitzgerald, who is an eight-year-old cancer survivor, better known as the “Fist Bump Kid.” After the final whistle, Rowe walked hand-in-hand with Liam across the field in front of the New England supporters who remained standing in their seats chanting Liam’s name.
“My goal for “Kelyn’s NEGU Crew” is to bring a kid away from the hardships they have faced and make them smile,” Rowe said. “I want to share with them the same excitement the game brings to me. That is why I love taking the kids around the field after the game to thank the fans. It gives them a chance to fully experience the joy and support the fans can give you.”
Each “Kelyn’s NEGU Crew” experience will also include tickets in the Putnam Club for the patient and his or her family as well as a postgame meet and greet with Rowe behind the Revolution bench. Rowe will talk with each child about his or her experience at the game, pose for pictures and present each child with a Revolution gift bag.
The complete schedule for “Kelyn’s NEGU Crew” matches is:
- Sunday, May 31 vs. LA Galaxy
- Saturday, June 13 vs. Chicago Fire
- Saturday, August 1 vs. Toronto FC
- Saturday, September 5 vs. Orlando City SC
- Saturday, September 26 vs. Philadelphia Union
