CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (September 2, 2026) — Chattanooga Football Club exists to build community through the world's game and to use the sport for the greater good of the city.
This mission will be carried out throughout the month of September as the club partners with Children's Hospital at Erlanger for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
Over the next four weeks, children will have special meet-and-greet opportunities with players and staff at the hospital, a training session and at the final home regular season match of the year on September 13.
One very special child, Timmy, who is a lifelong soccer fan, was selected to join the players and staff for "Contract for a Day" to experience life as a professional soccer player for the day. Timmy will also visit Julie Edwards on Local 3 News' Local 3 Plus You program to look back on the special day.
Timmy will then walk out with The Boys in Blue ahead of kick-off on September 13 at Finley Stadium. Last year’s patient and fan favorite, Neymar, will be involved in the festivities as well.
"Children overcoming pediatric cancer are some of the bravest and most resilient people on the planet, and their families show that same incredible toughness every day," said Chattanooga FC Sporting Director Sebastian Giraldo. "Having watched my own mom battle and overcome ovarian cancer, I have seen firsthand the courage and strength these families carry. Having Timmy in training is an inspiration to us all and a reminder to keep things in perspective. His resilience, mental toughness and love for the beautiful game are qualities we can all strive to emulate."
Chad Emerson, Chattanooga FC Chief Business Officer, said: "September is a month we look forward to all year long. These moments with Erlanger become unforgettable as we come together for these children and their families. Erlanger’s partnership gives Chattanooga FC yet another way to live out our mission of positive impact for the greater good of our community and city. It starts with initiatives like these that the community can really get behind. Every single CFC team member touches this initiative in some way or another. It is moving to see these children overcoming adversity with a smile on their faces. Not only is it an unforgettable experience for the children, but it also brings CFC together as one team as we raise awareness of a very important topic."
Deborah Spielman, SVP and CEO of Women’s and Children’s Services at Erlanger, said: "We’re thrilled to partner with Chattanooga FC for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. We’ll be raising awareness for the Children’s Hospital at Erlanger and the work we put into caring for the kids who suffer from life-threatening diagnoses. Please come out and support the families and their children who are fighting the toughest battles at such a young age, along with our doctors and staff that care for them!."
The club hosts Atlanta United 2 on Sunday, September 13 at 3:00 p.m. at Finley Stadium in a match presented by Erlanger. Timmy, his family and other pediatric cancer patients and families will be honored during the match. General admission tickets are as low as $15.
About Chattanooga Football Club
Chattanooga Football Club was founded in 2009. The CFC Men's professional team competes in MLS NEXT Pro, while the CFC Women's pre-professional team competes in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Chattanooga Football Club became the first soccer club to offer true ownership to the fans in 2019 with 3,200+ investors from Chattanooga, all 50 states, and 31 countries.
Chattanooga FC Youth serves children from U2-U18, partnering with Soccer Shots (U2-U6) and running its own programming for kindergarten through 12th grade. It is the region's most successful youth soccer club, giving players a pathway from rec soccer to competitive soccer to college soccer to pro soccer for players with that goal.
About Erlanger
Erlanger is a non-profit health system based in Chattanooga, Tenn., affiliated with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine. The seven-hospital system includes the region’s only Level I Trauma Center, children’s hospital, Level IV NICU, kidney transplant center, 24/7 stroke care, and many more essential services. Children’s Hospital at Erlanger provides the highest level of trauma, critical, and inpatient care. Erlanger is the sole provider of tertiary care services spanning a 50,000 square-mile region encompassing southeast Tennessee, northwest Georgia, north Alabama, and western North Carolina. The health system comprises seven hospitals and emergency departments, provides medical services for a fleet of six helicopters, and offers exceptional, comprehensive care at all of life’s stages. With a history of over a century, Erlanger continues its founding mission to compassionately care for people. Visit, erlanger.org.
