Search Angels WERE featured in an article in Duke University - Womens Soccer Online magazine in their Oct 10, 2023 issue, as seen below…

Everyone deserves to know the truth regarding their biological roots. We hope this continues to be a route for those separated from their birth family to realize that no matter how their story began, their unique foundation and natural curiosity can finally be satiated.

Hispanic Heritage Month - The Grahams Reconnect with Their Heritage

By Morgan Pruchniewski, Duke Athletics Communications Student Assistant

DURHAM -- This year's Hispanic Heritage Month means something a little extra special for senior Maggie Graham and class of '22 Delaney Graham.

Their father - Chris Graham - was adopted and has been searching for his biological parents ever since. Having taken 23andMe DNA tests, Chris and the girls knew that they were of Spanish descent, but didn't know much about where Chris' birth family came from.

After years of looking into records and searching for his family, this past year Chris finally had a breakthrough. Working with a non-profit organization called Search Angels, he was able to get connected to a potential cousin, who was able to put together the clues that their family trees were intertwined.

"Right at the end of the game in Fort Worth last year I got a call from Ernie, who turned out to be my cousin," said Chris. "As we're standing with the team after the TCU game, I'm getting pictures from my new family. We're huge soccer nuts, so the amount that this whole story revolves around soccer is crazy."

Chris was able to connect quickly with his newfound family, jumping on a flight to Miami soon after that first call with Ernie. In Miami, he got to meet his brother, Gimel, his sister, Barbie, their families, and his mother's sisters, fondly known as the Tias. Sadly, Chris learned that his birth parents had both passed away. Having also recently lost his adoptive father, Chris and the Grahams were grateful for the kind and loving reception they received from his birth family.

"It's such an exciting thing that after trying so hard to find them, he's found such a welcoming and amazing group of people," said Maggie. "He got the best of both worlds. It makes him so happy and it makes me, my sister, and my mom so happy in turn. We also get to reap the benefits of now having such a great family as well."

"When we played Notre Dame, my brother and sister both traveled to be able to meet the girls for the first time and watch the game," said Chris. "It was interesting for us to be able to introduce our new family to the Duke soccer family and for them to be able to watch the game. My brother played basketball for Kentucky in the early 90's and given his rivalry with Duke during those years, getting him to wear Duke apparel was a challenge that he embraced for both Delaney and Maggie."

Since then, other members of their newly connected family have been able to make their way to Durham to cheer on the Blue Devils. Chris' adoptive mother, Kathy, a regular at Koskinen, has been welcomed with the same open arms, and for that the Graham family is grateful. Maggie and Delaney have also been able to join Chris to travel to Miami to meet all of their new family members.

"It's a tremendous blessing for us that our family has been so accepting. They say that they see us as a gift," said Chris. "For me, I feel like I've gained fifty family members. They are also now all rabid Duke soccer fans, always sending us support during the games."

"Everyone has been so welcoming and so fun," said Maggie. "We don't have a big family on my mom's side, so it's been so great to meet everyone. They watch all my games now and have made me feel so welcome and loved."

Beyond just meeting this whole new side of their family, the Grahams have also learned so much more about their background.

"We always knew we were of Spanish descent, but came to find out that I am first generation Cuban American and that the girls have strong ties to Cuba as well," said Chris. "Delaney has really embraced that. She's spending all of her spare time in medical school trying to learn Spanish. She also volunteers at Clinica Esperanza, which provides medical care to uninsured Hispanic patients in the Memphis area."

The family is making an effort to learn as much as they can about where they came from and how they can connect with their heritage.

"I'm trying to learn more about all of our family ties to Cuba," said Chris. "It's important to all of us that we embrace being Cuban: the cultural connection as well as the familial connection. It's also been great to see Carina Lageyre and Maggie embrace the fact that they are both Cuban."

"It's something that I've learned to be proud of, and I love to share that I'm Cuban," said Maggie. "After undergrad, I'm very passionate about learning Spanish to be able to connect with this newfound family."

Chris Graham's mission to find where he came from led him to a whole new family and a new understanding of his heritage. Him, Delaney, and Maggie are able to celebrate their first Hispanic Heritage Month knowing that they are Cuban American, with so many new family members to experience it all with.

Maggie Graham will continue her senior season in her next home match this Friday. The Blue Devils host the Clemson Tigers at 5:00 p.m., inside Koskinen Stadium. Come out and support the team or watch on ACC Network Extra.

To see the complete article, please visit the Duke Athletics website here.