Unleashed Brands Foundation, San Diego Padres, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Partner to Bring Joy to a Young Leukemia Fighter and His Family
In October 2023, the Unleashed Brands Foundation celebrated its launch with an exciting announcement. Partnering with the San Diego Padres and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, they planned an unforgettable family vacation for Samuel, a brave leukemia fighter and survivor, and his family. This extraordinary experience was designed to provide joy, relaxation, and cherished memories amidst their challenging journey. The trip embodied the Foundation’s mission to create the ultimate comeback kids by empowering children fighting cancer and supporting their siblings, who often feel overshadowed. This special trip allowed Samuel’s family to reconnect and enjoy precious moments together, free from the constant worry of leukemia.
Purpose and Partners
The collaboration between the Unleashed Brands Foundation, the San Diego Padres, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society aimed to bring joy and respite to Samuel, his mother Dawn, father Joseph, and little brother Luke.
“Samuel has such a big heart; he loves baseball and has a goal to go to every Major League Baseball stadium and collect a hat from every team, and his birthday just happens to be in June!” shared an LLS Spokesperson. “Once we learned this, we immediately contacted our incredible partners at Unleashed Brands Foundation, which got Samuel one stadium closer to his goal and created an unforgettable experience for him and his entire family. We are so grateful to Unleashed Brands Foundation for their generosity and for shining light on a family impacted by the darkness of blood cancer.”
Special Game Day
On May 28, 2024, the family attended the Padres vs. Miami Marlins game, courtesy of the San Diego Padres. The day was packed with excitement, including a private session of batting practice, playing catch with team members, and collecting autographed memorabilia. The family was hosted by the Padres owners, making the day an unforgettable highlight.
Hospital Visit and Community Outreach
The trip began with a heartfelt visit to UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. The Unleashed Brands Foundation team, alongside The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, met up with Samuel and his family to distribute over 5,000 pairs of grip-socks and teddy bears to children battling cancer in San Diego. Orbit, the Foundation’s bear mascot, joined Samuel during the visit, spreading joy and bringing smiles to the young patients. Orbit and his teddy bear friends became symbols of hope and comfort to the children at the hospital.
Family Fun and Exploration
The remainder of the week was filled with visits to iconic San Diego attractions including the USS Midway, San Diego Zoo, Little Italy, Legoland, and SeaWorld. The family enjoyed these experiences with their new friend, Orbit, the Foundation’s bear mascot. Each location provided a chance for Samuel and his family to create lasting memories and simply enjoy being together.
Orbit’s Role
Orbit symbolizes the Unleashed Brands Foundation’s initiative where community members build bear kits, which are later distributed to children in hospitals. This program is generously sponsored by BDA, a key partner of the Foundation. The bears, built with love and care, serve as a source of comfort and joy for children undergoing difficult treatments.
Follow the Journey
The adventure of Samuel and Orbit can be followed on the Unleashed Brands Foundation’s Instagram page.
“I am incredibly proud of what Unleashed Brands Foundation achieved in partnership with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the San Diego Padres. Providing Samuel and his family with an unforgettable vacation was a testament to our collective efforts and a deeply moving experience for everyone involved,” said Whitney Navarro, Managing Director at Unleashed Brands Foundation. “Seeing Samuel bring smiles and joy to everyone he met throughout the trip was truly inspiring. It was important for us to offer this experience to give Samuel and his family a much-needed break from their challenges and create lasting memories of happiness and togetherness.”
This partnership and the special trip show the commitment of the Unleashed Brands Foundation, the San Diego Padres, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to making a positive impact in the lives of children and families facing health challenges. Samuel’s story is a testament to the power of community support and the joy that can be brought to those in need.