PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC announced today that defender Sam Hiatt has been named the club’s nominee for the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, which honors one National Women’s Soccer League player each year for outstanding service and character off the pitch.
Created to spotlight players driving meaningful change beyond the game, the Lauren Holiday Impact Award celebrates the legacy of two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, and National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Lauren Holiday, whose example of purpose-driven impact continues to inspire athletes around the world.
Hiatt’s dedication to service is rooted in personal experience. In 2020, just days before her professional debut, Sam’s younger brother was diagnosed with a rare lymphoma. That life-altering moment shaped her career and her outlook. As her family navigated the emotional and practical challenges of his treatment, Sam experienced firsthand the power of community, connection, and care.
Now in her sixth professional season and back home in the Pacific Northwest, Hiatt has chosen to support Candlelighters For Children With Cancer, a local organization that walks with families through every stage of childhood cancer. Candlelighters provides families across Oregon and SW Washington with practical assistance and ways to connect, offering not just resources—but lasting relationships and hope.
Said Hiatt: “As athletes, we have a unique platform—even if it doesn’t always feel that way when we're just showing up to play soccer. But it truly is more than that, especially when we have the chance to make an impact on the community that supports us. Portland shows up for the Thorns time and time again, and it’s important that we give back and support the people around us—not just on game days, but every day. I am so excited to be able to tell Candlelighters that they are our community partner for this year's Lauren Holiday Impact Award and to be able to work with the amazing people behind this incredible organization.”
Thorns FC will recognize Hiatt and the club’s community partnership with Candlelighters For Children With Cancer during the team’s match on October 4, 2025.
Stay Connected
To follow Sam and her ongoing work with Candlelighters, stay tuned for updates at:
Website: www.thorns.com/lauren-holiday-impact-award
Instagram: @thorns
To learn more about Candlelighters and their mission to support families impacted by childhood cancer, visit:
Website: https://candlelightersoregon.org/
Instagram: @candlelightersoregon
Facebook: Oregon Candlelighters
About Portland Thorns FC
Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns FC have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women’s soccer since its inaugural 2013 season. One of the world’s most supported women’s soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for eight seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record with 25,218 fans supporting Thorns FC in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park. Thorns FC have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018. The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.
About NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League is the premier women’s professional soccer league in the world featuring national team players from around the globe. The clubs are Angel City FC, Bay FC, Boston Legacy FC, Chicago Stars, Denver FC, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current, NJ/NY Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave FC, Seattle Reign FC, Utah Royals FC, and Washington Spirit.
About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.
About Candlelighters For Children With Cancer
Candlelighters For Children With Cancer has been Here for Hope since 1977, when five families found each other in hospital hallways while their children faced cancer. What began as a shared need for comfort and understanding has grown into a lifeline for families across Oregon and SW Washington.
Candlelighters provides both practical support and meaningful connection—through financial assistance, in-hospital programs, and welcoming spaces for parents, siblings, and youth. Services also include bereavement support, culturally responsive programs for Latine families, special groups for parents and teens, and scholarships for young survivors. All services are free of charge, so families can focus on what matters most: being together.
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC announced today that defender Sam Hiatt has been named the club’s nominee for the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, which honors one National Women’s Soccer League player each year for outstanding service and character off the pitch.
Created to spotlight players driving meaningful change beyond the game, the Lauren Holiday Impact Award celebrates the legacy of two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, and National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Lauren Holiday, whose example of purpose-driven impact continues to inspire athletes around the world.
Hiatt’s dedication to service is rooted in personal experience. In 2020, just days before her professional debut, Sam’s younger brother was diagnosed with a rare lymphoma. That life-altering moment shaped her career and her outlook. As her family navigated the emotional and practical challenges of his treatment, Sam experienced firsthand the power of community, connection, and care.
Now in her sixth professional season and back home in the Pacific Northwest, Hiatt has chosen to support Candlelighters For Children With Cancer, a local organization that walks with families through every stage of childhood cancer. Candlelighters provides families across Oregon and SW Washington with practical assistance and ways to connect, offering not just resources—but lasting relationships and hope.
Said Hiatt: “As athletes, we have a unique platform—even if it doesn’t always feel that way when we're just showing up to play soccer. But it truly is more than that, especially when we have the chance to make an impact on the community that supports us. Portland shows up for the Thorns time and time again, and it’s important that we give back and support the people around us—not just on game days, but every day. I am so excited to be able to tell Candlelighters that they are our community partner for this year's Lauren Holiday Impact Award and to be able to work with the amazing people behind this incredible organization.”
Thorns FC will recognize Hiatt and the club’s community partnership with Candlelighters For Children With Cancer during the team’s match on October 4, 2025.
Stay Connected
To follow Sam and her ongoing work with Candlelighters, stay tuned for updates at:
Website: www.thorns.com/lauren-holiday-impact-award
Instagram: @thorns
To learn more about Candlelighters and their mission to support families impacted by childhood cancer, visit:
Website: https://candlelightersoregon.org/
Instagram: @candlelightersoregon
Facebook: Oregon Candlelighters
About Portland Thorns FC
Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns FC have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women’s soccer since its inaugural 2013 season. One of the world’s most supported women’s soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for eight seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record with 25,218 fans supporting Thorns FC in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park. Thorns FC have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018. The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.
About NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League is the premier women’s professional soccer league in the world featuring national team players from around the globe. The clubs are Angel City FC, Bay FC, Boston Legacy FC, Chicago Stars, Denver FC, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current, NJ/NY Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave FC, Seattle Reign FC, Utah Royals FC, and Washington Spirit.
About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.
About Candlelighters For Children With Cancer
Candlelighters For Children With Cancer has been Here for Hope since 1977, when five families found each other in hospital hallways while their children faced cancer. What began as a shared need for comfort and understanding has grown into a lifeline for families across Oregon and SW Washington.
Candlelighters provides both practical support and meaningful connection—through financial assistance, in-hospital programs, and welcoming spaces for parents, siblings, and youth. Services also include bereavement support, culturally responsive programs for Latine families, special groups for parents and teens, and scholarships for young survivors. All services are free of charge, so families can focus on what matters most: being together.
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