SeongnamFC, Beautiful Journey with Hong Si-young, Who Is Battling Childhood Cancer: "We Will Stand by Her Side Until She Recovers"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Professional football K League 2 side SeongnamFC continued a meaningful journey with Hong Si-young, a long-time fan who has been steadily enduring a difficult battle with illness and is now recovering her health.

Seongnam announced on the 9th that Hong Si-young served as a special match ball delivery runner at the home game against DaeguFC in Round 32 of the Hana Bank K League 2 2026 season, held at Tancheon General Sports Complex on the 7th.

Hong Si-young, who has visited stadiums with her parents to cheer for Seongnam since she was five years old, began her battle with illness after being diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, a type of childhood cancer, in February 2023. At the time, Seongnam designated its April 16 home game against Cheonan City FC as "A Home Game for Si-young," and the entire club stepped up to help. All players took to the pitch wearing T-shirts wishing her a speedy recovery, and part of the ticket revenue, the full proceeds from specially made merchandise sales, and funds raised by the players and front office were donated toward her treatment costs.

Seongnam's warm gesture spread across the entire league, bringing great emotion as 13 Brazilian players active in K League, including Sezinha and Edgar of then-opponent Daegu, voluntarily joined the fundraising effort.

Three years have passed, and Hong Si-young has grown into a proper middle school student. She returned to Tancheon General Sports Complex in noticeably better health. Taking on the role of match ball delivery, she stood on the pitch and powerfully signaled the kickoff.

Seongnam prepared a place of encouragement for Hong. Before the match, CEO Jang Won-jae and Head Coach Kim Hae-un presented her with a jersey bearing the autographs of the players, while defender Benicio handed her a bouquet of flowers to cheer on her healthy growth.

Hong Si-young also visited Sezinha and Edgar of Daegu, who had shown kindness three years ago, delivering gifts she had prepared herself along with a heartfelt handwritten letter to express her gratitude. The two players, too, did not forget their bond from three years prior and warmly welcomed Si-young with bright smiles.

According to the club, regular examinations and observation are still required until a complete remission is confirmed, but Hong is currently undergoing hospital check-ups once a month while steadily continuing her school life and daily routine. The sight of Si-young, who silently endured the difficult treatment process and returned to Tancheon with a bright smile, provided deep emotion and courage to both the players and fans.

Seongnam stated, "We will stand by as a reliable companion and cheer for Si-young until she fully recovers her health," adding, "Going forward, we will fulfill our role as a healthy civic club that delivers hope to the local community and fans."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original