Dear Friends, Family, and Soccer Community,

We, the parents of the NYCFC U13 team, are coming together to ask for your support for one of our own. One of our soccer families are going through a challenging time, and we want to rally around them with the same strenght and unity we show on the field. Please read Elga's story.

Hi, I’m Elga. I’m 52 years old, a devoted wife, and a proud mother of two incredible teenage children—a soon-to-graduate daughter, Amberly, and my son, Max, who plays for the NYCFC academy team.

In 2020, our lives took a drastic turn when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. After surgery and radioactive iodine therapy, I fought hard to recover, always thinking of my kids’ present and future. Together, we stood strong and got through it as a family, but we didn’t know the battle wasn’t over.

In 2024, I was diagnosed with lung cancer and I started the battle again. In the middle of the treatment, in January 2025, I was diagnosed with leukemia, and our world was shattered again. Now, I undergo chemotherapy every three weeks, leaving me physically drained and in and out of the hospital. My husband can only work part-time as he cares for me and our family.

I weep as I see my kids bravely go through their daily routines—school, friends, and sports—but that doesn’t change how much they still need their mother. It breaks my heart not to be there for them as I once was.

We’re struggling to keep up with medical bills, groceries, the mortgage, and even to keep the lights on. Our community has always been a source of strength, and now, I humbly ask for your support.

Your donation can help us cover essential expenses and bring stability to our children during this overwhelming time. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference.

Thank you for standing with us and helping our family find a way through this difficult journey. Whether you can donate or not, please consider sharing our story with your friends and community.