Girl, 9, with Brain Cancer Throws First Pitch at Baseball Event Where Hundreds of People Showed Up to Support Her
Girl, 9, with Brain Cancer Throws First Pitch at Baseball Event Where Hundreds of People Showed Up to Support Her
Lexi LaneSat, April 18, 2026 at 10:00 PM UTC
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Maddie Humbert (center) at the baseball game.Credit: LOCAL 12/YouTube -
Maddie Humbert was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2025 and has undergone surgeries and chemotherapy
The 9-year-old girl’s community hosted Pack the Park for Maddie, an event that raised money for her recovery expenses
Maddie threw the first pitch at the event, where orange ribbons were displayed to honor her cancer journey
After a girl in Kentucky was diagnosed with brain cancer, her community in Grant County showed up for her in a very heartwarming way.
Maddie Humbert usually plays in the Grant County Little League, but she was unable to participate this season due to her diagnosis and treatments.
To show their support for Maddie, 9, amid her cancer journey, hundreds of residents gathered at Pack the Park for Maddie, an event that raised money for her recovery expenses, according to local news outlet WKRC.
"Maddie's one of our own in little league. She's played since she's been little, and we want to take care of our own," Chris Jump from Grant County Little League told the outlet.
"As I put this thing together, I want not only Maddie to have a good time, but I want the kids at opening day to have that first-year experience of baseball, to make it feel like they're part of something big," he added.
A baseball field (stock image).Credit: Getty
Maddie threw the first pitch at the event, and ribbons around the field were painted orange for her. There were also donations and raffles to raise money to assist her and her family.
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She was diagnosed in November 2025. Since then, she has had two brain surgeries and chemotherapy treatments.
"There's still going to be outstanding costs, so we want to be there and we'll keep collecting and helping provide for them as long as we can or as long as they need it," Jump explained.
Maddie's mother, Stanley Humbert, expressed her appreciation.
"We’re very thankful for the day and everyone that showed up,” she told WKRC. “The faces we've seen. We're not alone, and we can reach out to many people and didn't realize until now how close this community is."
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Maddie's grandmother, Donna Humbert, previously said to WKRC that "there will probably continue to be bad days, but her support will get her through it" and that Maddie is being a "very, very strong girl" through it all.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
