For Timmy, soccer has been part of his life for as long as he can remember. This week, Chattanooga FC gave him the chance to experience the sport from a completely different perspective.
As part of the club’s partnership with Children’s Hospital at Erlanger for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, Chattanooga FC welcomed Timmy to its MLS NEXT Pro environment through the club’s “Contract for a Day” initiative.
Timmy’s love for soccer started at home. His father played the sport in high school and passed that passion down to his son.
But in April, Timmy’s life changed dramatically when he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Burkitt lymphoma, a rare and fast-growing form of cancer. He immediately began intensive chemotherapy treatment.
Through the difficult months that followed, Timmy’s faith and strength became a source of encouragement for his family.
“My mom was crying, and I told her, ‘It’s going to be ok. God’s going to protect us. He’s going to get us through this.’”
His experience at the hospital also introduced him to other children going through similar challenges.
“The first person we met was a sweet little kid next door [in the oncology unit]. It was very impactful to know I had made some new friends in the hospital.”
That perspective has helped Timmy face the difficult moments of his treatment with remarkable optimism.
“I’ve had a lot of hard times that God has got me through. The devil’s struck one, twice, three times… he’s out!”
Chattanooga FC Turns a Soccer Dream Into a Special Day
Chattanooga FC recently partnered with Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, which helped identify Timmy as a participant in the club’s “Contract for a Day” program.
The experience gave Timmy an inside look at what life is like for players competing at the professional level.
His day began at Chattanooga FC headquarters, where he joined the team for a video analysis session. From there, he headed to the training ground and watched the players work through drills and exercises.
The experience eventually reached its biggest moment.
Timmy officially signed a professional contract for the day and was introduced to Chattanooga FC media and staff.
For a young soccer fan who has spent much of the year fighting cancer, it was an opportunity to step away from hospital rooms and treatment and simply enjoy the game he loves.
“It was fun and exciting,” Timmy said.
The club also gave him something tangible to remember the experience.
“Now we have the contract in a frame, which is fun to have as a remembrance of my time there. It’s a great reminder to pass my story down through to other youth.”
More Than a Soccer Experience
The “Contract for a Day” initiative is a reminder of the role soccer clubs can play beyond the field.
For Timmy, the experience was about more than watching professional players train. It gave him the opportunity to spend time inside the sport he has loved since childhood and create a memory during an especially difficult chapter of his life.
Chattanooga FC’s partnership with Children’s Hospital at Erlanger also puts a spotlight on the importance of supporting children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity for the soccer community to recognize young patients, survivors, families, doctors, nurses and everyone working to support children through treatment.
Timmy’s story brings that message into focus through something familiar and powerful: the game of soccer.
Timmy to Be Recognized at Chattanooga FC’s Final Home Match
Timmy’s connection with Chattanooga FC will continue beyond his special day with the club.
He will be recognized alongside other pediatric cancer patients and survivors during Chattanooga FC’s final home regular-season match.
The ceremony will take place Sunday, September 13 at 3 p.m. at Finley Stadium, with the match presented by Erlanger.
For Timmy, it will be another opportunity to stand alongside the soccer community while sharing a story defined not by his diagnosis, but by his love of the game, his faith and his determination.
And for Chattanooga FC, the moment shows what soccer can mean when a club opens its doors to the community.
Community Spotlight: Stories That Bring Communities Together
Timmy’s story is a powerful reminder of how soccer can become about so much more than what happens on the field. His journey, his connection with the game and the support he has received from his family, teammates and community show how personal stories can inspire others and bring people together.
Atlanta Soccer News is proud to recognize Panorama Press Marketing & Media, a Metro Atlanta community partner that helps businesses and organizations strengthen their visibility, share their stories and build meaningful connections with their audiences. Stories like Timmy’s deserve to be told with care because they can remind communities of the people, relationships and moments that make them stronger.
For organizations looking to tell their own story and connect with the people who matter most, learn more about Panorama Press Marketing & Media and the marketing, media and communications services they provide.
ASN TAKE
Timmy’s story is a powerful reminder that soccer is about far more than what happens for 90 minutes on the field.
Chattanooga FC used its platform to give a young fan a meaningful experience during an incredibly challenging time. The “Contract for a Day” initiative allowed Timmy to see the professional side of the sport he loves while creating a memory he can carry with him long after the day was over.
His attitude throughout his cancer journey is equally striking. His words about his family, faith and friendships at the hospital show a level of resilience that goes well beyond soccer.
For Chattanooga and the surrounding soccer community, Sunday’s recognition at Finley Stadium should be more than a halftime moment. It is an opportunity to celebrate Timmy and other pediatric cancer patients and survivors—and to remind everyone watching what community support can look like.
Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.