LANCASTER, Pa.-- A soccer game in Lancaster on Saturday was about more than scoring goals. It was about a little boy, who's facing an uncertain medical future.
The Lancaster Inferno Women's Soccer team is trying to raise money and spread awareness of 11-year old Tony Forte's condition.
"We had two great teams today to play some good soccer, but today was about Tony and it was really nice to see people taking an interest in him and helping support him in his journey through his medical condition," Goalkeeper Emily Dolan said.
Forte, from Lancaster, was born with Total Colonic Hirschsprung's Disease, which impacts his digestive system. He cannot eat or go to the bathroom like other kids, the backpack he wears serves as his life support. He's on a waiting list for a stomach, small and large intestine and liver transplant, but it's already been years.
Midfielder Natalie Connell says, "We're just trying to help him, raise money for him so he's able to get off that wait list and get his transplant."
Money raised will help pay for what insurance doesn't cover when he finally gets the call for a transplant. The players say it's the least they can do for such a special little boy.
"He's a positive influence on everybody, he's got such a great attitude and I think everybody can learn so much from how he carries himself in life and how he carries himself through struggles," Dolan said.
Connell added, "Before the game, he gave us a little pep talk and was like, lets both win with what we're fighting for and he's just great, so it's awesome to be able to work with him and try to do something for him and I hope we're making a difference in his life."