On Saturday night, Toni Pressley entered the pitch in the 72nd minute of the Orlando Pride’s season finale against Reign FC. All of those in the stadium then rose to their feet.
The appearance marked the first for Pressley since undergoing treatment for breast cancer in August - coming on the night of the Club’s first ever Breast Cancer Awareness Match. The 29-year old was diagnosed in July and underwent surgery to remove the cancer a month later.
Following Pressley’s diagnosis, those across the NWSL rallied around her and all of those affected by breast cancer to sponsor a league-wide auction to benefit Libby’s Legacy, an Orlando-based non-profit chosen by Pressley that provides breast cancer resources to the underserved.