New England Revolution midfielder Kelyn Rowe is one of a growing number of sports stars sharing the Never Ever Give Up message through social media and special events. A longtime supporter of the Jessie Rees Foundation, Kelyn and his “NEGU Crew” aim to give courageous kids a memorable experience as they continue their brave fight against cancer.
Kelyn got to share a game day adventure with four-year-old courageous kid Grayson Barry and his cousin Lyla. Grayson’s mom Gina said, “they smiled from the moment we arrived and were still smiling on the way home.” Kelyn said “With every child or family I visit I can never tell who has the bigger smile, myself or them. That speaks wonders to me. I get a tingle, similar to chills running down my spine every time I leave a Jessie Rees event because with every smile I put on those kid faces they put one right back on me.”
This special day was part of a five game “Kelyn’s NEGU Crew” program at Gillette Stadium. Not only did Grayson get to go on the field, after the game he got to do a lap with Kelyn, thanking fans. In the final fan section they started to cheer “Grayson! Grayson! Grayson!” Keyln said he had a moment of chills and a rush of compassion and joy. Grayson had a smile from ear to ear and said to him “That’s my name!”
Kelyn said “Being apart of such an amazingly giving community that this NEGU group is, has opened my eyes to more ways to give back. Not only to give back little by little, but to really affect someone’s day or possibly their life. This organization has grown my ability to give to others and has opened my mind to opportunities to do so.”
