Maddie’s Match to take place next Friday 20 July

St Kilda and Richmond will battle it out on Friday 20 July for Maddie’s Match #FIGHTLIKEMADDIE

Maddie’s Match will take place for the third time at Etihad Stadium in Friday night footy on July 20 at 7:50pm.

The match will raise both funds and awareness for bone marrow failure, in support of Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision. The Chair of Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision, St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt, current St Kilda forward Josh Bruce, and five-year old bone marrow failure patient Elliot Vanderland have announced a fundraising target of $300,000 for the match.

The nominated $300,000 target is equal to that of the Victorian Cancer Agency’s pledge to co-fund an International Travelling Fellowship research position in the hope of finding a cure to Bone Marrow Failure.

Elliot Vanderland – only five-years-old and fighting two types of bone marrow failure, Dyskeratosis and Aplastic Anaemia – will return as the hero of the 2018 Maddie’s Match, after running onto the field during Maddie’s Match in 2017 alongside Nick Riewoldt.

Riewoldt said of Elliot, “Elliot is now five-years-old and still going through so much every day, he is a hero in every sense of the word. The ongoing uncertainty for Elliot, his parents Ian and Elissa and brother Ashton is devastating. We urge everyone to get behind his family and attend this game as a sign of support in a very fragile road for families facing this disease.”

Fans attending the match are encouraged to donate at the gate, as well as ensure they dress appropriately to match the sea of purple in the crowd at the game. St Kilda will again take on a purple stripe in their guernsey in place of the traditional red.

Saints forward Josh Bruce spoke about Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision, stating, “I’m really proud to be representing MRV for the Saints this year. I’ve seen the incredible work they’ve done in the area of Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes research over the past few years and am really keen to do my part in raising awareness and funds. On behalf of the whole playing group I really encourage people to buy their Maddie’s Membership and special edition purple Saints merchandise to join with us in turning Etihad Stadium into a sea of purple on 20 July. Help us to empower others to #FightLikeMaddie”.

Etihad Stadium Online Auction

There will also be an auction held by Etihad Stadium, with 100% of the proceeds raised going to Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision in support of Maddie’s Match. The auction includes some brilliant items up for grabs, including: