Monkiewicz Playground in Philadelphia, PA

A wish from a young boy battling cancer was made possible after the community rallied together to help create a special surprise from his favorite mascot, the Phillie Phanatic from the Philadelphia baseball team.

An emotional email from the mother of four-year-old Yarden Sulzbach, who is batting a rare cancer Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, was written to the Philadelphia Phillies, telling them of her son’s adoration for the Phillie Phanatic. After this email, the Phillies wanted to help make her little boy’s dreams of meeting the Phanatic come true and put a plan in motion, thanks to the help of The Ladies of Port Richmond and the surrounding community.

On Sunday, May 21, The Ladies of Port Richmond, a group that has many personal ties to breast cancer was hosting their annual Port Richmond Breast Cancer Charity Walk at the Monkiewicz Playground, benefitting local hospitals for breast cancer research. After getting a call from the Phillies, the group did not hesitate to make sure Yarden Sulzbach, who spent two years of his young life undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments, receive the surprise of his life during the walk’s opening ceremonies.

In front of a massive crowd at the walk, little Yarden was called to the podium and told that the Phillie Phanatic was looking for him. And then the Phanatic rushed into action surprising the little boy amongst cheers from the Port Richmond community.

It was a day that no one would forget especially for young Yarden and the Ladies of Port Richmond.