Baseball fans, readers touched by Wayne Tao's life story
"This country's sporting soul will always need stories that can only be told by someone willing to reach down into themselves ..." -- Bill Plaschke, L.A. Times Sports Columnist
Three times last week I was asked why I don't write more stories like the one I wrote about Wayne Tao, and the truth is they're not easy. It's tough not to get attached when you write a story of such magnitude. To this day I still wear my "Llivestrong" wristband given to me by an 11-year-old boy I wrote about nearly six years ago. He suffered from neuroblastoma, a cancer that attacks the sympathetic nervous system. Extensive chemotherapy helped him fight three tumors, one the size of a melon, and had gone through a bone marrow transplant. He originally gave me the wristband after my week-long visit with him at Children's Hospital of Orange County. Two months after the story ran, little Andrew lost his battle with cancer. The day I went to his funeral was the first day I wore the wristband, and I haven't taken it off since. There's been an outpour of support for Wayne Tao, who takes 16 pills a day for lupus, Tourette's syndrome and painful neuropathy. His story touched many lives, and his bravery is a lesson for us all. Many of you have shown interest in wanting to help. I will cover two Monrovia baseball games this week, and I will convey your support to Wayne. Some of you have expressed interest in donating UCLA football tickets, and so on. If you'd like to send a message to Wayne you can reach me at miguel.melendez@sgvn.com and I will deliver it to him.
11 Comments
Leave a comment
About this blog
 |
|
Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
I am not in fact certain if greatest tactics contain emerged roughly things similar to that, but I am positive that your large work is clearly identified. I was thinking if you offer several membership to your RSS feeds since I would be extremely concerned.
Can I just speak what a comfort to find a star who actually knows what theyre discussion about on top of the the web. You definitely make out how to carry an matter to glow plus create it important. Additional community have to to read this plus understand this side of the narrative. I cant believe youre not more popular since you certainly have the gift.
Took me moment to look at each and every one of the commentary, but I actually loved the piece of writing. It proved being in reality ready to lend a hand to me with I am optimistic to each and every one the commenters here! It’s commonly nice whenever you can not just be informed, but in adding entertained! I am helpful you had pleasant writing this write-up.
I just love this blog :) here's a little payback (offtopic maybe but funny!)
Bald guys never have a bad hair day. :)
I really like the colors here on your blog. did you design this yourself or did you outsource it to a professional?
I favor individuals that who post often, it is really challenging to get this sort of understanding any other way. Top notch work.
I am new to your blog and just spent about 1 hour and 30 minutes reading. I think I will frequently visit your blog from now on. I will definitely learn a lot from them.
Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!
well said!
Hi, i just believed i’d posting and let you know your weblogs is helpful for pointed out the advantageous answer.I certainly enjoy your weblog.Competently, the guide is in truthfulness the ideal on this really worth although topic. I concur along with your ideas and will eagerly look forward for your arriving tweets. Precisely saying thanks won't just be enough, for your unparalleled lucidity in your own authoring. I will right away take your rss feed to remain abreast of any updates.Suitable perform and substantially success in the operate and company efforts.Anyways preserve up the fine operate.Thank you.