Yarr! Cancer survivors Liam Hendriks and Carlos Carrasco do meet wee patients o' the scurvy sea, share tales o' hope!
2023-07-19
Arr, mateys! In the year o' 2021, Carlos Carrasco, a fine scallywag, didst hatch a plan called "Cookie's Kids" t'welcome wee lads 'n lasses wit' the devilish affliction o' pediatric cancer t'the Mets ballpark on a monthly basis, aye! This very week, he be joinin' forces wit' Liam Hendriks, a fellow buccaneer.
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks battled and defeated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma earlier this year. He recently returned to the pitching mound, inspiring many with his triumph over cancer. New York Mets pitcher Carlos Carrasco also overcame leukemia in 2019 while playing for the Cleveland Guardians. This week, Hendriks and Carrasco, both cancer survivors, came together to host pediatric cancer patients from Cohen Children's Medical Center at Citi Field as part of Carrasco's "Cookie's Kids" program.The children had the opportunity to explore various areas of the ballpark that are typically off-limits, including the dugout and bullpen. They listened to the encouraging stories of Hendriks and Carrasco, who shared their own experiences of beating cancer. Additionally, the children received lunch, giveaways, and tickets to a future Mets game.
Both pitchers emphasized the importance of not feeling alone in the fight against cancer. They encouraged the children to reach out, talk to others, and remove the stigma associated with the disease. Hendriks, who has been on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation, continues his rehabilitation by throwing pitches off the mound at Citi Field. He mentioned that his chemotherapy treatments may have played a role in his injury.
Carrasco, who missed three months of the 2019 MLB season, returned to the field after his leukemia diagnosis and pitched for Cleveland. The stories shared by the pediatric cancer patients deeply resonated with both Hendriks and Carrasco, reminding them of their own journeys and the importance of discussing and normalizing cancer treatment.
This heartwarming event showcased the resilience of these professional athletes and their dedication to giving back to the community. Their inspiring stories serve as a beacon of hope for those battling cancer, emphasizing that with determination and support, anyone can overcome this challenging disease.