The LA Galaxy family is in mourning over the loss of one of its own.
Luca DeLaGarza, the son of A.J. DeLaGarza passed away on Thursday at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles just a week after being born. With his mother Megan and his father by his side, the newborn passed away peacefully after fighting with the complications of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome since birth.
DeLaGarza announced his son’s passing on social media.
“Heaven gained another angel yesterday,” DeLaGarza said in a tweet that was accompanied by a photo of his son holding his father’s finger in his hand. “He touched the [heart] of many people & will forever be remembered. #LucaKnowsHeart.”
Throughout the DeLaGarza family’s ordeal, there has been a wellspring of support from across the American Soccer community but especially from the Galaxy organization and its supporters. From the “Luca Knows Heart” shirts worn pregame of LA’s match vs D.C. United last week to the untold numbers of tweets and messages of support that the DeLaGarzas have received, the couple has remained in the thoughts of everyone involved in the club.
In honor of Luca, the Galaxy will hold a moment of silence during the pregame ceremonies of the club’s match against the Colorado Rapids on Friday. On the field, the Galaxy will don black arm bands with the name LUCA inscribed on them for the match. In addition to the team tributes, attendees are encouraged to stand and applaud during the 20th minute to celebrate the fight that baby Luca showed during his courageous one week of life.
But tributes do not have to be made at the stadium.
Those interested in donating to Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome research are encouraged to donate to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles as a way of keeping Luca’s memory alive and assuring that the cause of #LucaKnowsHeart continues.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
