Last month, that same spirit of connection traveled to Washington, D.C., as Team IMPACT Fellows joined families and advocates from across the country for the Children’s Hospital Association’s (CHA)Family Advocacy Day (FAD). Together, they spent several days listening, learning, celebrating, and advocating for a future where every child has access to the care and support they deserve.

For our Fellows, FAD was much more than a trip to Capitol Hill. It was an opportunity to witness the resilience of children and families firsthand and better understand how advocacy can create meaningful change.

“Advocacy empowers,” said Sophia Meguid, University of Michigan Dance alumna and Team IMPACT Fellow who earned her spot as a CHA Fellow this summer. “FAD allows the voices of kids and families to fundamentally shape the future of pediatric healthcare in this country. By sharing their stories of hardship and triumph, more people are able to become allies. As Fellows, that is part of the reason it is so necessary to show up with a full heart and open mind.”

Throughout the event, Fellows listened as families shared their experiences navigating complex healthcare systems, balancing daily life with medical challenges, and advocating for the resources their children need to thrive. Those conversations stick with the Fellows—and hopefully lawmakers—long after FAD. “Participating in FAD is the culmination of everything you could hope for as a Team IMPACT Fellow,” said Anthony Hinton, former Duke football player and medical student. “Each year, we work tirelessly to help spread the word about Team Impact and engage our local hospitals, but FAD gives us the opportunity to address the root causes of some of the major challenges facing pediatric healthcare today. I am always grateful for the chance to help amplify the message of the families present, and in doing so, advocate for all of our matches across the country.”

“Having raw conversations with the kids and their families will leave a lasting impact on me. Hearing of their resilience and vitality through such difficult days while also gaining appreciation for their holistic identities—as students, real estate agents, bakers, musicians, you name it — was an honor,” Sophia reflected. “Whether we were playing card games or discussing the social determinants of health, the people at FAD were some of the best I have ever met.”

For some Fellows, the advocacy of this day was not only for the children but also advocacy on a personal level. “As a girl who was diagnosed with a chronic illness at 20 years old and spending a lot of my life being sick and not knowing what was wrong, I deeply empathize with these families,” said Maya Williams, who plays field hockey at Drexel University. “But for me, Team IMPACT is well beyond me. Days like FAD are important to families and Fellows because it allows us to put all of our resources together to make a true impact on peoples’ lives.”

For many Fellows pursuing careers in healthcare, the experience reinforced why patient-centered care matters. “I really think that these kids are impacting me more than I am impacting them,” said Stephen Michaels, a former Tufts football Fellow and a student at the Medical College of Georgia. “Getting the opportunity to see the power of great medicine reinforces my ‘why’ as a future physician and reminds me of the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care.“

“As a medical student, we talk a lot about ways to improve healthcare and interventions across different levels,” Anthony said. “FAD gives us the chance to make individual change by meeting so many wonderful families, but it also allows us to work towards the big, systems-level changes that can affect the future of healthcare.“

“Like the government representatives, we have a duty to learn from the kids and their families to think critically about our role in building a better future for everyone, not only through idealistic missions but through tangible actions,” Sophia said. “For many of the Fellows, we plan to pursue careers in healthcare. FAD gives us the chance to better understand the collaboration across systems through space and time that produce a healthcare experience for our future patients. No one exists in a vault.”

While advocacy was at the center of the event, some of the most meaningful moments happened when people just got to connect. For many of the Fellows, some of their favorite moments were from the Thursday night dance celebration with the families and other advocates. “Interacting with the kids and their families, hearing their stories, and bringing a good time to the end of their day was so meaningful to me,” said Davanee McNairy of Kent State lacrosse.

Anthony seconded the dance party love on Thursday night as equally memorable. “I love the opportunity to celebrate the hard work of the families,” he said. “Having the opportunity to help them around the Capitol and hear them share their experiences with so many different representatives is something that will stick with me for a long time to come.”

Those moments of laughter and celebration are a reminder of something Team IMPACT sees every day: children are far more than their diagnoses. “Seeing the strength of these children and the light they bring to the world and our teams is transformative,” Maya said. “Team IMPACT is an incredible organization that helps give these kids a sense of belonging and a place to forget their life worries.”

That sense of belonging is one of the reasons Team IMPACT’s presence at FAD matters. For Stephen, representing Team IMPACT at FAD helps demonstrate that pediatric healthcare extends beyond hospital walls. “Representing Team IMPACT at FAD furthers Team IMPACT’s identity as not an isolated social support program but as a program that has the ability to improve outcomes in all facets of a child’s life,” he said.

Davanee experienced that reality through her own Team IMPACT match. “My experience with my match has shown me how important both healthcare and social support are for children facing serious illnesses,” she shared. “I’ve seen firsthand how a sense of belonging, friendship, and inclusion can positively impact a child’s life alongside the medical care they receive. This has opened my eyes to how important advocacy is. It gives families a voice and helps create meaningful change that can improve the care, opportunities, and support available to children both now and in the future.”

FAD also reminded Fellows that advocacy is strongest when communities come together. “Events like FAD always provide me with a reminder that there is a community supporting us all,” Stephen said. “FAD is really the culmination of what Team IMPACT is all about,” Anthony continued. “It gives us the chance to advocate for children with chronic conditions at the highest level. Team IMPACT’s strength is in addressing many of the struggles that happen outside the walls of the hospital, and our three days in DC help us to both spread the word about our organization but also to enact the kind of widespread change in the system that would benefit our matches and their families.”

For Sophia, FAD reminds her that she has a platform and an opportunity to make a difference—and she doesn’t want to miss that opportunity. “Team IMPACT and FAD align in their missions and both center on the lived experiences of kids and families. Having representation is essential at FAD to exhibit the promise of inclusion and connection that Team IMPACT offers,” she said. “We hope that our presence shows families that there are communities like Team IMPACT ready to embrace their authentic stories and to shower their kids with unconditional love. As student-athletes, the inspiration we gain from the kids and families advocating at FAD encourages us to consider what impact we want to have and how to use our own platforms for good. Taking Team IMPACT to FAD not only allows us to reflect on our own experiences on our campuses, but also to think about how we can expand the reach of this program.”

At Team IMPACT, we believe connection has the power to transform lives, and FAD emphasizes the connection that comes when people advocate for one another. When families are given the opportunity to share their stories directly with lawmakers and leaders, their experiences become catalysts for change. When Fellows show up with open minds and open hearts, they become stronger advocates, future healthcare leaders, and lifelong allies.

Most importantly, Family Advocacy Day reminded us that every child deserves not only excellent medical care but also community, inclusion, and opportunities to simply be kids.

We are grateful to the Children’s Hospital Association for bringing together families, advocates, healthcare leaders, and partners committed to improving pediatric healthcare. And we are incredibly proud of our Fellows who represented Team IMPACT’s mission with compassion, commitment, and purpose.

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It was a night to celebrate our impact and not just what we do but who we do it with. The children and families who turn to our program for support on some of their hardest days. They student-athletes and coaches who build that support into a network of hope, belonging, and acceptance. The donors whose generosity builds the foundation for all Team IMPACT does. The supporters who spread the word, advocate on their campuses and in their communities, and cheer us on every step of the way. And the staff whose work every day brings the program to life.

Because as we celebrate 15 years of Team IMPACT, we know that everyone plays their part.

Each year, the Game Day Gala brings together our entire community to celebrate the life-changing relationships at the heart of our mission, the connections built through the program, and the impact that ripples for years to come. This year was particularly special as we celebrate 15 years of Team IMPACT, surrounded by some of our earliest matches, founding board members, staff, supporters, and community who make it all possible.

Some of the most powerful moments of the night came from the voices of those living the Team IMPACT experience every day. Our event speakers—Boston College Head Football Coach Bill O’Brien; Harvard lacrosse player and Team IMPACT Fellow Grace Taylor; and Stacey Armata, whose son, Massimo, is matched with the UCLA men’s soccer team—shared how the program has profoundly impacted their lives, their families, their teams, and their campuses.

“What Team IMPACT gave Massi was something no prescription can provide,” Stacey said, “A sense of belonging. A team. A family. An identity that had nothing to do with being sick and everything to do with being part of something bigger than himself. On the days Massi was with the UCLA soccer team, he didn’t think about his treatments. He wasn’t a kid with CF. He was a Bruin.”

Grace Taylor, a Team IMPACT Fellow who experienced her own cancer journey while playing lacrosse at Harvard, credits her teammates, Tilly and Josephine, with helping her reframe her journey into one of joy and hope. “These girls didn’t just make us better athletes,” Grace said. “They made us better teammates. They made us better people.”

This is a lesson Grace keeps close to her heart far beyond the lacrosse field. “What I carry with me now is simple: We can do hard things. And we don’t have to do them alone.”

That gratitude, rooted in resilience, community, and connection, is what defines Team IMPACT. That is what Northwestern Athletic Director Mark Jackson hopes his student-athletes feel each time they welcome a Team IMPACT teammate onto their roster. That is what NCAA President and longtime Team IMPACT supporter Charlie Baker hopes all student-athletes take with them long after their playing careers end. And that is what we dream every child living with a serious illness and disability feels when they participate in Team IMPACT.

For Stacey, Team IMPACT is something she and her family feel every day, even after Massimo’s transition to a Team IMPACT alum. “The best part of this whole story? The match didn’t end,” she said. “Those guys feel like family. And I think that’s the beauty of Team IMPACT—the ability to translate the power of human connection into something a ten-year-old boy can feel for years to come.”

The Game Day Gala is more than an event. It’s a reflection of what happens when compassion and care meet teamwork and impact. Each year, the Game Day Gala is not only a celebration but a reminder that there is still work to do. More kids to match. More student-athletes to inspire. More friendships to foster. More lives to change. More Game Day Galas to celebrate.

And with you on our team, we will accomplish each milestone the only way we know how: together.

Because we can do hard things. And we don’t have to do them alone.

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The celebration included a special on-field ceremony honoring the children, families, and student-athletes who make this partnership so meaningful. Team IMPACT teammate, past and present, were recognized alongside their Holy Cross counterparts, with a ceremonial coin toss marking the occasion. 

Building on a Strong Foundation 

Holy Cross isn’t new to Team IMPACT. Over the years, the college has welcomed 25 children onto its athletic teams, with eight active matches currently underway. These children become a true part of the team—joining practices, attending games, and building lifelong friendships with student-athletes. 

By formalizing this multi-year partnership, Holy Cross Athletics and Team IMPACT are committing to deepening those connections and creating even more opportunities for families in Worcester and beyond. 

“This partnership with Team IMPACT reflects our mission at Holy Cross to not only develop student-athletes on the field, but also to instill in them the values of service, compassion, and community engagement,” said Kit Hughes, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Holy Cross. “Our student-athletes gain as much from these relationships as the children do, and we are proud to formalize this connection.” 

Maura Ambrose, Team IMPACT’s New England Regional Executive Director of Programs, echoed that excitement: “We are thrilled to officially partner with Holy Cross, an institution that shares our belief in the power of sports to build resilience, foster belonging, and bring joy to children and families. Together, we will create life-changing experiences for both the kids we serve and the Crusader student-athletes who welcome them into their teams.” 

Looking Ahead 

Holy Cross now joins a growing network of colleges and universities nationwide who partner with Team IMPACT to use athletics as a force for good. Through shared storytelling, campus events, and community engagement, the two organizations will continue to expand their reach and impact. 

For families, student-athletes, and fans in the stands on Saturday, the celebration was about more than the game. As a joint community we were able to honoring the bonds already formed and setting the stage for the many more to come. 

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The day, sponsored by Turner Motorsports, Barletta Engineering, and Thompson Speedway, has become an annual event unlike any other. This year’s gathering was our biggest yet, with families joining from around New England to spend the day surrounded not only by the sights, sounds, and speed of sports car racing but also by the connection and camaraderie of community.

From the moment families arrived, the energy was electric. Team IMPACT families got up close with the racecars, climbed into the passenger’s seat, and took laps around the track with Turner Motorsports racers Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher. While kids were on the track, the other matches and siblings enjoyed snacks, activities, yard games, and conversation while patiently waiting their turn.

“This day is all about our families,” said Maura Ambrose, Regional Executive Director at Team IMPACT. “It’s a celebration of their journey, their strength, and the support that surrounds them. Thanks to our partners at Turner Motorsports, Barletta Engineering, and Thompson Speedway, we’ve created an event that grows bigger and more meaningful every year.”

Each year, this event reminds us what Team IMPACT is all about: building life-changing experiences for children facing serious illness and disability through the power of team and community. At Thompson Speedway, the team spirit is palpable. From the drivers to the team members, from our partners to every volunteer, everyone shows up to make our kids feel like the VIPs they are.

“Team IMPACT Day at Thompson Speedway is always a special day for our community,” said Emma Simches, Regional Director of Programs for the Northeast. “Watching our families light up with big smiles, meet new friends, and take laps around the track in real racecars with real drivers fills this day with so much joy.”

Thank you to Turner Motorsports, Barletta Heavy Division, and Thompson Speedway for making this special day possible and to the 50+ Team IMPACT families who made it unforgettable. Days like Team IMPACT Day at Thompson Speedway bring joy, strength, and memories to so many families and keep our mission moving forward.

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