Red Sox Pitcher Jon Lester
There was a story in the news last week that grabbed my attention because our family is what you call “a baseball family.” Melinda’s brothers played Little League ball, her dad coached, and she sat in the stands for countless games, cheering her brothers on. My first trip to a major league baseball game was to see the Red Sox play at Fenway Park in Boston in the late 1960’s. Gosh, do I ever I remember the excitement of seeing the Green Monster and my favorite player, Yaz—Carl Yaztremski. So, when I read last week that Boston Red Sox pitcher, Jon Lester, is raising money and awareness for pediatric cancer, my Red Sox Fan Meter went sky high.
Jon Lester was diagnosed with non-Hodkins Lymphoma in 2006; now he and a few of his teammates, along with players from other teams, are working on a project called “Never Quit” to encourage children battling cancer. For many children, meeting a major league ballplayer would be the thrill of a lifetime. For children in cancer treatment to be able to meet Jon- a cancer survivor himself- has got to be highly inspirational and even healing.
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“Lester has big plans to expand the program, in Boston and beyond. He hopes to bring in players from other sports to help, especially in cities that don’t have baseball teams.”
~Don Fair, coordinating producer of Fox News’ Los Angeles bureau
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Is there anyone else thinking what I am thinking? I think Mr. Jon Lester needs to meet Mr. Tony Stoddard. In case you missed yesterday’s post about what Tony Stoddard is doing to help children with cancer, you must know!
https://gracemelinda.com/2014/04/07/a-day-of-yellow-and-gold-to-fight-childhood-cancer-tony-and-cole/
Every time I hear of someone using their lives to help children with cancer, it inspires me and encourages me to do the same. Whenever I join with others who feel strongly about the importance of making a change in the world of childhood cancer, the results of the outcome of our work jumps exponentially. This is what will happen when Jon and Tony meet. Tony, I think Jon might know one or two people in the Front Office at Fenway Park. I think Jon might know a bit about how one would go about Lighting Major League Baseball Stadiums yellow and gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September.
And the best news of all, Tony, I will bet—I will double-down—that Jon has a heart that is willing to help you make this happen. Jon, will you please help honor these warriors? Will you please help Tony spread awareness that will lead to funding for cures? From the work you have already done, you’ve demonstrated you feel our children are worth every bit of effort and sacrifice. Thank you for all you are doing, Jon, and thank you for your consideration to step up to the plate to accomplish even more… for Tony… for Cole… for all the kids who should never have to face the Monster. The only Monster I want our children to face is that big Green One I marveled at as a kid at Fenway Park!
Tony and Cole
Guest Blogger: Lee Marchiano
Melinda Marchiano 
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