ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – A special moment on Tropicana Field Tuesday takes over social media, when Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Brett Phillips hit a home run with a lucky bracelet from an 8-year-old girl battling cancer.
Chloe Grimes, 8, was recently diagnosed with cancer for the second time.
Before the game, Chloe was asked to throw the first pitch to Phillips, where she presented him with an autographed softball and a lucky bracelet that read, “Rally for Chloe, our princess.”
‘Magic moment’: home run dedicated to Tampa Bay Rays fan battling cancer
The local organization ‘Children’s Dream Fund’ helped organize the moment.
The evening became even more special when Chloe did a live televised interview and Phillips hit a home run.
“Chloe, do you know what just happened?” sideline reporter and host for the Tampa Bay Rays, Tricia Whitaker asked in the interview. “Brett Phillips just hit a home run,” Chloe replied with a big smile on her face.
During a post-match interview, Whitaker said: “Brett, you weren’t aware of it at the time, but you were part of a very magical moment for Chloe Grimes meeting you before the match.” She said.
“I’m normally not short of words, but I had the chance to meet Chloe for the first time, and she’s battling cancer, and she brought me these gifts,” Phillips said, swallowing his tears. “She wrote my name on a softball and Chloe, you’re an inspiration.”
In a tweet, Phillips later wrote: “Chloe, you touched my heart and impressed me! I feel so blessed that God has given me the opportunity to meet you! @BaseballisFun__ and @RaysCommunity will be working together to help you with your medical bills and a few extra gifts too, just like you did for me!’
“It has uplifted her. She will have something to think about and definitely encourage her through the rest of her treatment and she has a new boyfriend in Brett Phillips,” said Amanda Griffin, executive director of Children’s Dream Fund. “I know he will take care of her for the rest of her journey.”
Children’s Dream Fund helps dreams come true for Bay Area children battling life-threatening illnesses.
Click here to donate to the organization.
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