Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery
Dear Major League Baseball,
My name is Melinda Marchiano, and I am sixteen years old. When I was thirteen, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma; I am thrilled to tell you I am now in remission.
The reason I am writing to you is to ask you to please consider assisting the cause of raising awareness and funding for research for childhood cancer. Childhood cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in our country. 40,000 children are fighting cancer right now. Every school day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer. Seven children in our country will die today—and every day—from cancer.
I love how you support types of adult cancers, like what you are doing for “bat girls” and breast cancer. I can’t help but notice the glaring absence of attention to childhood cancer. Please continue to give the support you are giving for adults, and please open your minds and hearts to consider doing the same for our tiniest cancer warriors.
The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society allocate a tiny portion of their budget to childhood cancer research. This leaves a huge open gap of need that small grassroots organizations are working passionately to fill. The vast majority of these organizations have been established by parents who have lost their child to cancer.
Baseball is as American as America. When I think of baseball, I think of summertime and kids at the ballpark with their gloves—ready to catch that foul ball. I can picture the joy on their faces to be in a real live major league ballpark watching their favorite players.
Baseball = Kids and fun
I would love to have Major League Baseball show its commitment to make a difference in the health of the children of our future by doing something big for children with cancer.
I see you On Deck… please step up to the plate and hit the ball out of the park.
Funding will find a cure.
I just know you can do it… “Take Me Out to The Ball Game…”
My buddy, Braden Hofen... Major League Bat Boy!
Facebook/Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery
Melinda Marchiano 
Comments on: "Take Me Out to The Ball Game" (2)
I wish more 16 yr olds were like you….
charlywalker.wordpress.com
Aw Charly… I wish more people were like YOU!
Hugs:)