Arriving at the 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia (click here), everyone in attendance found a rolled card in their cup holder. Provided by Mastercard* as a way for the stadium to honor those affected by cancer, the one side explained what the placard was for, the other proclaimed, “I STAND UP FOR CANCER.” Below the statement was a box which had already been filled in.
Following the 5th inning, everyone in the ballpark was part of a televised moment on FOX where we all stood united, holding our signs, in the fight against cancer.
Boyz II Men was introduced and my heart sank. I quickly prayed that they weren’t about to sing one of their hits, “So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday.” My mom died of stage 4 gall bladder cancer, diagnosed only seven weeks before her death. That song would break me. Thankfully, they performed The Jackson 5 classic “I’ll Be There.” Other than the musical number, there was complete silence, a poignant experience considering there were over 44,000 people in Citizens Bank Park.
We had recorded the game at home so we could watch it later; I can see things on TV (I sit very close) much better than I can in real life. With the broadcast, I was able to catch what I had missed while at the game.
Viewing all the players, coaches, umpires, broadcast teams and fans standing up with their signs was extremely moving. The placards those of us in the stands had been given were already filled in with names such as “Patients” and “LOVED ONES.” Everyone playing in the game or part of its coverage had written the names of people they know who have felt the world stop turning upon receipt of three words: You have cancer. Some of those signs recognized multiple family and friends, bearing witness to the pervasiveness of this universal enemy. The moment that made me reach for the remote to pause the DVR, though, was a cameraman wearing two signs on his back. On one he had written “MOM,” the other “DAD.”
Screenshot From Broadcast Taken With My iPad
I am sure that everyone in the ballpark and at home has been touched by this vile disease. I apologize if this offends you, but EFF CANCER. That’s a sign I carry in my heart every single day: standing, sitting or laying down.
* Mastercard has proudly supported Stand Up To Cancer since 2010. Together with the help of millions of cardholders, Mastercard has donated over $80 million to help fund groundbreaking cancer esearch.
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