University Southern California Trojans
Taylor's Tailgate
October 25, 2018 | Football, Trojan Outreach, Features
Earlier this month USC's Trojan Outreach program, in partnership with City of Hope, the United Kidney Research Organization (UKRO), Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Children's Hospital Orange County, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Miller Children's and Women's Hospital Long Beach hosted "Taylor's Tailgate" at Bashor Lounge inside USC's Heritage Hall.
The event celebrated the life of Taylor Hammond, a young Trojan fan who recently passed away from a rare form of leukemia. The tailgaters took on the opportunity to celebrate Taylor's energetic, bright and cheerful demeanor that shined to all he came in contact with.
USC defensive line coach Kenechi Udeze met Taylor and his family at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where they both received treatment for leukemia, back when Taylor was six years old. Udeze went on to beat leukemia, but his special relationship with Taylor continued to grow. Last year, Taylor was invited to USC to participate in a USC football practice with players. During "Taylor's Tailgate," USC hosted several children and families from the Los Angeles area to celebrate his life. Some of the guests also suffered from a serious illness or are awaiting an organ transplant.
The event started by welcoming the children and their families to Bashor Lounge inside Heritage Hall with a room full of USC team spirit, including football-themed decorations, plates and napkins, all while the television on the surroundings walls live streamed the college football games that were currently on. Upon arrival, the families filled their plates with delicious barbeque from a local family-owned barbeque company. Throughout the evening, families were able to share their experiences with other families that have undergone similar experiences regarding the treatments their children had to go through in the past or are currently facing.
The special guest at Taylor's Tailgate was Taylor Hammond's father, Brian. Brian Hammond flew in to Los Angeles all the way from Hawaii to attend the event and personally thank all in attendance for supporting his late son and celebrating his life.
"It was a life-long dream of Taylor to be able to be on that field, one day he wanted to be a Trojan player," Hammond said. "He is a Trojan at heart. They named this event after Taylor which I know he's happy about right now. I just want to say to everyone that's going through whatever adversity that your fighting just to embody the Trojan spirit and Fight On. Never give up, know that you can make it, keep a smile on your face, and try to stay positive no matter what. That's what Taylor would do."
After speaking to the crowd, Hammond was surprised with USC Dad and USC Mom hats by McCall Hall, USC's director of community outreach.
"We would like to give you these USC Dad and USC Mom hats for you and your wife because Taylor exemplified what it means to be a true Trojan," Hall said. "If anyone asks, your son was a true Trojan and you and your wife truly are USC parents."
Hammond was also surprised with a Trojan Tiki to take back to Hawaii in remembrance of the evening's special event.
As Taylor's Tailgate came to an end and the start of the USC football game vs. Colorado quickly approached, all children and their families were gifted with free football tickets to attend the game and root on the Trojan football team.
Trojan Outreach encourages USC fans to join the Be The Match Registry to help children like Taylor.
The event celebrated the life of Taylor Hammond, a young Trojan fan who recently passed away from a rare form of leukemia. The tailgaters took on the opportunity to celebrate Taylor's energetic, bright and cheerful demeanor that shined to all he came in contact with.
USC defensive line coach Kenechi Udeze met Taylor and his family at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where they both received treatment for leukemia, back when Taylor was six years old. Udeze went on to beat leukemia, but his special relationship with Taylor continued to grow. Last year, Taylor was invited to USC to participate in a USC football practice with players. During "Taylor's Tailgate," USC hosted several children and families from the Los Angeles area to celebrate his life. Some of the guests also suffered from a serious illness or are awaiting an organ transplant.
The event started by welcoming the children and their families to Bashor Lounge inside Heritage Hall with a room full of USC team spirit, including football-themed decorations, plates and napkins, all while the television on the surroundings walls live streamed the college football games that were currently on. Upon arrival, the families filled their plates with delicious barbeque from a local family-owned barbeque company. Throughout the evening, families were able to share their experiences with other families that have undergone similar experiences regarding the treatments their children had to go through in the past or are currently facing.
The special guest at Taylor's Tailgate was Taylor Hammond's father, Brian. Brian Hammond flew in to Los Angeles all the way from Hawaii to attend the event and personally thank all in attendance for supporting his late son and celebrating his life.
"It was a life-long dream of Taylor to be able to be on that field, one day he wanted to be a Trojan player," Hammond said. "He is a Trojan at heart. They named this event after Taylor which I know he's happy about right now. I just want to say to everyone that's going through whatever adversity that your fighting just to embody the Trojan spirit and Fight On. Never give up, know that you can make it, keep a smile on your face, and try to stay positive no matter what. That's what Taylor would do."
After speaking to the crowd, Hammond was surprised with USC Dad and USC Mom hats by McCall Hall, USC's director of community outreach.
"We would like to give you these USC Dad and USC Mom hats for you and your wife because Taylor exemplified what it means to be a true Trojan," Hall said. "If anyone asks, your son was a true Trojan and you and your wife truly are USC parents."
Hammond was also surprised with a Trojan Tiki to take back to Hawaii in remembrance of the evening's special event.
As Taylor's Tailgate came to an end and the start of the USC football game vs. Colorado quickly approached, all children and their families were gifted with free football tickets to attend the game and root on the Trojan football team.
Trojan Outreach encourages USC fans to join the Be The Match Registry to help children like Taylor.
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