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Two rival school districts came together as one Tuesday when the
followers of Franklin Monroe teamed up with
Tri-Village fans to honor a
fellow Patriot. Mitch McCabe, 24, suffers from a cancerous tumor that
affects his heart.
The two communities used the 50/50 drawing as a
donation for cancer research. McCabe is shown wearing a
mask and
surrounded by both Patriot and Jet fans. CNO photo by Dylan Knoop
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Small towns
show love for one
By George Starks
PITSBURG
- “It was bigger than basketball, and it was really special. It shows
the type of community they have in Pitsburg. We're extremely
appreciative of what they've done for him here. Mitch has been fighting
very hard.”
Those were the words of Tri-Village coach Josh Sagester Tuesday after the Patriots big win over Franklin Monroe at The Hangar.
Sagester was referring to 24-year-old Mitch McCabe.
McCabe, a Tri-Village graduate, has been diagnosed with Senopiol
Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that has produced a tumor that has
cocooned around his heart. It affects blood pressure and how the heart
flows the blood throughout the body.
According to McCabe, it gives him an elevated heart rate and some chest pains.
The treatments are varied:
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Targeted therapy
Metastatic soft tissue sarcoma to the liver
“The treatment has gone really, really well,” said McCabe, who did not elaborate on what is being done.
At half-time of Tuesday night Cross County Conference game, McCabe was
honored by the Franklin Monroe community as well as Patriot Nation.
The customary 50/50 drawing was all donated to McCabe, as well as the winner donating all the winnings.
Two small communities showing some big time love.
“I couldn’t be more appreciative,” said McCabe. “It’s amazing that
everyone came together and rallied around something that not just
affects only me, so I can’t appreciate it enough. It’s amazing what a
small community can do for just one person. The support they have given
me is huge. It feels like I live in a big city.”
If the community support wasn’t enough, McCabe was presented with another surprise.
With the help of several people, McCabe will be heading to Green Bay for the Packers game with Detroit.
“I get to go to Lambeau Field and watch Aaron Rogers play,” said
McCabe. “I will get to stay in a nice indoor suite where I can keep my
head warm. I will go outside for a minute or two, just to get the
experience, but will go back in quickly.”
According to McCabe, the Packers organization presented him with a
signed football and several things signed by Rogers, including a jersey.
McCabe was quick to recognize the one person behind it all.
“It was the efforts of Kim Puckett that got me there,” admitted McCabe.
“She has done a great deal for me and my family. Tonight was about two
communities and two houses that came together.”
McCabe said to date about 5,000 dollars has been raised and the goal is 20,000.
If all that wasn’t enough, McCabe was able to watch his kid brother,
senior Mason McCabe play, and little brother was happy for it all.
“I knew coming into tonight this was going to be an emotional game,”
said Mason. “I knew that FM was going to donate the money and I wanted
to dedicate this night to him. Tonight meant a lot to all of us.
Tonight it wasn’t just about the game but it was about family.”
(If anyone out there would like to jump on the bandwagon for the McCabe family, contact the Tri-Village schools.)
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