With support from partners across the Chicago area, Team IMPACT hosted its first annual field day presented by the Anthony and Jeanne Pritzker Foundation for families on Saturday, June 3. The event took place at Maggie Daley Park in Chicago and included exciting games and activities, a live DJ, and face painting for participants of all ages and abilities. Included in these activities was an adaptive yoga session and adaptive dance session hosted by local facilitators from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
The event was in part to connect current and prospective Team IMPACT families with each other and to raise community awareness of the Team IMPACT program while enjoying a fun morning with local student-athletes and supporters.
Silver Medal sponsor GCM Grosvenor noted, “Thank you Team IMPACT for the mission driven work you are doing to create positive opportunities for our children. GCM Grosvenor could not be more honored to support such a welcoming and memorable experience for Chicagoland families.”
“Our family foundation is proud to support Team IMPACT, because we have seen how the program both benefits chronically ill children and their families during a very difficult time while also offering a transformative experience for the participating student-athletes. We are pleased to help underwrite the first-ever Field Day event in Chicago and support the expansion of the program in Los Angeles to provide meaningful connections through athletics and fun for more of these kids at a critical time in their lives .”
-Tony Pritzker, Anthony and Jeanne Pritzker Foundation
With nearly 100 attendees, Chicago’s Field Day brought together just a piece of the larger Team IMPACT community in the Midwest. Regional Executive Director Alexis Randall joined the organization in 2021 to help expand our footprint across the area. Says Bronze Medal Sponsor William Blair noted, “Being part of the Team IMPACT event was an incredible experience. Seeing the joy on the children’s faces as they enthusiastically embraced finger-painting was a priceless reminder of the positive impact we can make in their lives.
Chicago alone boasts 15 local campuses participating in Team IMPACT including Northwestern University, DePaul University and Loyola University. These campuses combine to create 39 team matches, including 1,000 student-athletes.
“The Family Field Day in Chicago was such a fun, positive experience for our family! We are new to Team IMPACT, so it was great to meet some of the staff as well as the other participants and their families. The level of energy and passion everyone involved brings to this mission makes us feel honored to be a part of the Team IMPACT community!”
– Patrick and Eileen, parents of Emily, matched with DePaul Women’s Soccer
While there are more than 75 children and teams in the process of being matched in the Midwest, there is a tremendous opportunity to get more children in the game. Notes Team IMPACT’s Regional Director of Programs in the Midwest, “It’s important to give children a dose of life beyond illness, and that’s what we do. We understand the importance of consistent social and emotional support, and provide a unique experience for children and their families to expand those support systems. Today’s field day is just a glimpse into the meaningful relationships our families make with local college sports teams.”
“Catherine had so much fun and loved that this was a special day for her.”
-Ron, dad of Catherine, matched with DePaul University Softball
Are you a family interested in learning more about Team IMPACT? Apply here.