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Behind the Stripes

Valerie DeSantiago

By Atlanta United FC

September 18^th, 2019

When Valerie DeSantiago walked into Mercedes-Benz Stadium Saturday, she knew it would be a special day. But when she saw her art draped over stranger after stranger, hundreds of people wearing her creation, she could hardly believe her eyes.

“It’s just really cool,” she says, still nearly speechless on the field moments before kickoff. “When I saw my scarf on the Falcon, I couldn’t believe that they had made a huge replica of it. Then I came inside and so many people were wearing it, it was just really, really cool.”

Valerie is a 13-year-old from Dalton, Georgia who loves to draw. She loves playing soccer in her back yard, loves Atlanta United, and is desperate to try out for her local team. She was also diagnosed with B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma last year. So when Atlanta United was looking for a designer for the Unite & Conquer Cancer scarf, her doctor knew it had to be her.

“If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here,” she says. “They asked if I wanted to design the scarf, and of course I did. I only had a couple days to do it, so it was a little intense. But I really wanted to do it, so I did.”

The scarf is as colorful as it is creative, with dozens of tiny monsters and doodles exploding with pastels off the scarf. She says they represent fans at Atlanta United matches –– most of them happy, some from the visiting team mad. And each of them are different colors to represent different personalities and people.

“I’m just really proud of it,” she says. “I used all of my creativity on it, and it turned out really good. When I got the scarf myself, it looked really cool. I’m just so happy with how it turned out.”

The hours can get long in a hospital for a 13-year-old, even one as strong and positive as Valerie. But her imagination can take her well outside of those walls. So her art isn’t just a pastime, it’s what gives those days a little extra meaning.

“I like that I can use my imagination for something. I like that, when I finish it, that I achieved a goal for that day. It’s a hobby but it helps me, and it just makes me feel like I accomplished something.”

On top of seeing her art lining the stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Valerie got the VIP treatment herself. She served as honorary ball-girl, got to sit on the bench before kickoff to watch warmups, and even got some one-on-one time with her favorite player, Josef Martinez.

“I couldn’t believe how big everything was. The stadium, the crowd.. it was just so loud, so exciting. It was just a really cool experience getting to see them play in real life.”

From going to school with her friends or being able to play sports as much as she wants, Valerie’s battle with cancer has taken away some things kids her age take for granted. But with a level of maturity and perspective seemingly impossible for a 13-year-old, she says it’s given her something too.

“This really taught me how to think positively. Before this, I didn’t really think positively. But now, I can see how I can make things better. My friends help me when I need it but I help them back. How can you make bad situations better? They tell me that I got this for a reason and I trust them.”

And she’s ready to bring her message of positivity beyond her group of friends. On the day that was supposed to be all about her, she said she wanted to make sure to spread a message to others.

“I know there are families out there going through the same thing,” she says. “I just want them all to know that it gets better. I remember when I started my chemo, I felt really down, I felt sick and couldn’t go to school. But it got better. And if it got better for me it can get better for you. You just have to have hope. A lot of hope.”

So when you see the scarf’s message of “Be Bold,” believe it, because Valerie is living it. Because sure, it’s a scarf –– a beautiful one at that. But it’s so much more.

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