I met the strongest, toughest, most fearless athlete I’ve ever seen at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex the other day. The kid’s name is Chris Siders and he was huge. If you look at him, though, out there playing right field for his Pensacola AAU baseball team, he seems tiny because he’s only 13 and weighs barely 100 pounds. But his heart is the size of Epcot.
Problem was, for the last couple of years that huge heart of his had a mass growing near it. A cancerous one. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Staring at the proverbial last at-bat of his life, this kid didn’t try to bunt; he swung for the fences. Against all medical odds, he survived a third round of chemo and radiation treatments and has returned to the baseball diamond. The cancer, doctors told him, is apparently gone.
These days, Chris is back out there in right field doing everything his little body can do to help his team compete in the AAU National Baseball Championships here at Walt Disney World this week.
There are undoubtedly a lot of great teams and extraordinary players in the tournament who would be deserving of a prestigious AAU National title. But my money is on that Pensacola team with the giant kid out there in right field.
Comments
This story touched my heart as we have been there. My son at age 13 was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He too went through treatments and had his make a wish dream come true- a Disney cruise. With the help and love of friends, family and his passion for Disney he was able to get through each day. I hope Chris reads this as my son who is 17 is now 3 1/2 years cancer free and there is life after cancer. Chris you are an inspiration for children everywhere going through what you have and sharing your story with the world. Thank you Disney for brining this wonderful story to us!
Darrell, thank you for posting such a nice story.
What an incredibly moving story. Thank you for sharing and helping us all remember what the really important things in life are. My prayer is that Christopher will be healed of his cancer and enjoy many more years playing baseball, being a kid, and most of all…..being healthy.
Beautiful story! Thanks for posting. Now if I can control the tears enough to get back to work…..
Now lots more unknown people will be thinking of Chris, I hope it helps!
Those teammates are awesome too! Respect for what they did for Chris, especially considering they are all so young! There’s nothing like friends, family and laughter to help you through tough times.
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