FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – For the past 10 years, the New England Revolution have been dedicated to brightening the days of children and families affected by pediatric cancer through the NEGU Crew. In partnership with the Jessie Rees Foundation, the NEGU Crew has brought joy to matchdays, delivered moments of hope, and built a resilient community that empowers every child to “Never Ever Give Up.”
The NEGU Crew was started in 2015 by former Revolution midfielder Kelyn Rowe, who later passed the torch to goalkeeper Matt Turner ahead of the 2019 season. Though the program paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was eventually revived by defender Andrew Farrell, who has carried the legacy forward for the past two seasons.
From walking onto the pitch in custom Revolution jerseys to cheering from a private suite, the NEGU Crew gives children battling cancer a chance to feel like champions. These matchday memories offer a moment of relief from the daily challenges of illness.
In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Revolution recently welcomed Shaya Rees – sister of the late Jessie Rees, whose courageous cancer battle inspired the foundation – to Gillette Stadium, where she met Farrell for the first time.
“It is such an honor. We at the Jessie Rees Foundation and Team NEGU love the Revolution so much. Having this be the 10th year of NEGU Crew and getting to be here in person to see all the New England Revolution team and meet Andrew, it's seriously such a gift,” she said ahead of the August 30 match against Charlotte FC.
The experience was equally special for Farrell, as he got to connect with the family who started it all.
“I think it was really important, because I have always heard great things about her, her family, and how they started the foundation. Getting to hear her story and why the NEGU Crew is what it is was great,” Farrell explained. “For them to see what the whole game day experience was like was important, and maybe even they could reach out if they see ways I can make the day better. It was just really cool to talk to her about it.”
On September 13, the Revs will once again honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with their annual Fight Childhood Cancer Match at Gillette Stadium. As the team prepares to take on Toronto FC, the true battle lies beyond the pitch – standing in solidarity with the brave children and families affected by childhood cancer.
“I’ve experienced through the events that we’ve done, what a day can be filled with for families facing childhood cancer. Whether it’s tests, hospital visits, or treatments, it can be a lot,” Farrell said. “It puts things into perspective. So, whether it’s something like coming to the game, meeting the guys, being up in a suite, I hope the gameday experience we have here is something they can all hold on to when things get tough.”
The Revolution will show their support throughout the match, in stadium and on the field, as they work alongside local community partners, non-profits, and hospitals. Elements of gold will also be shown throughout the evening, as a symbol of pediatric cancer awareness.
“The fact that the Revolution is such a compassionate organization, which has such compassionate players, is so, so cool,” shared Rees. “We’re so honored to be a part of it.”
