We Are Honored to Tell Their Stories!
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In 1978, a 15-year-old Yoshitaka arrived in the United States with a single suitcase and a limited grasp of the English language, leaving his father, mother, brother and sister behind in Japan to move in with an aunt and uncle who lived in Franklin, Massachusetts. After graduating from Franklin High, he then graduated from Bridgewater State College, where he was a defensive back for the BSC Bears football team. In 1987 he was hired as the Athletic Trainer at Lincoln-Sudbury, where he served students for 33 years.
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Over the past 3 decades, Ando became one of the most committed and most beloved educators at Lincoln-Sudbury High School and an iconic figure in Massachusetts High School athletics. Ando was a paragon of the values of high school athletics of hard work, dedication and respect; he embodied them, he taught them, and he inspired them. His deep devotion to LS athletes manifested in myriad ways- in trips to the hospital with injured players, in early mornings before school opening the gym for training sessions, in visits to college games to watch alumni play. Occasionally, he might have shown up at a player’s house in search of unreturned equipment; indeed, his love for the school knew no boundaries. More than just an athletic trainer, Ando was a trusted coach, a strength and conditioning expert, a guidance counselor, a sports psychologist and, to the many students he healed, a powerful mentor and loyal friend. He won the hearts of thousands of students, coaches, officials and families with his inimitable joyous candor and his unmatched devotion to young athletes. Making sure that every kid was cared for and got back in the game,` Ando changed deeply the lives of the thousands who were fortunate to know him.
Ava
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Just over 1 year ago we brought Ava home from Boston Children’s Hospital after 38 days from receiving a bone marrow transplant, preparing for a year in isolation; no in-person school or friends and family in our home. It was the last of 148 days she spent last year battling a relapsed leukemia that refused to respond to traditional treatment protocols.
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Over 40 days were spent preparing for transplant as the 10th patient from BCH-DFCI to receive the leading edge CAR T-Cell immunotherapy and in rarer space as the second in the country after a single relapse. 2019 was exhausting and emotionally challenging, but Ava’s cancer met its match, because decades of research and perseverance via donations from amazing people such as yourself made that possible.
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This is why Kicks For Cancer is our favorite event of the year. It draws the community together unlike any other cause, to the point that it is truly felt deep within. Over Ava’s 4 year battle we have received tremendous support from coaches Pavlik and Fischelis, who along with the amazing volunteers, created special experiences for Ava during the event. While COVID would like to ruin the party, we can achieve so much by rising to the task and making this year uniquely memorable. And Ava? Her infectious joy and appreciation for life ensures every day is lived to its fullest. Let us all be responsible for giving others that same chance. -- Live your best life everyday!
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Abby’s Story
Kicks for Cancer has been a family event in our home for many years. From nephews who played soccer at CCHS to our own children, the event is one of our favorites. The importance of supporting amazing resources like Dana Farber became crystal clear to us in June of 2017. A few days after her CCHS graduation, Abby was diagnosed with a rare, high grade sarcoma. An otherwise healthy athlete, you would never know by looking at her that something so ominous was lurking. The swift intervention of Dana Farber/Brigham and Women’s doctors was truly astonishing and the care they provided during her recovery and follow-up from multiple surgeries has been amazing. We often reflect how lucky we are to have this resource so close to us. So now, as we enjoy all the community spirit and great sporting contests of this special event, it has taken on a new meaning for our family as we celebrate Abby’s health and the care we all received. Abby continues her love of soccer playing on the club team at Loyola University! Thank you to all who read this for your support of this vital cause. |
The Boys Varsity team gifted and delivered before their game, signed pink KFC T-shirts to a sweet 7 yr. old neighbor being treated for leukemia and his family. Fight on Hard Captain Ewan!
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Ewan Story
Our son Ewan was initially diagnosed with a high-risk form of leukemia (AML) in 2015 when he was just 5 years old. He spent 6 continuous months at Boston Children's Hospital that year, undergoing intensive chemotherapy followed by a bone-marrow transplant. He was discharged, and after 10 months in isolation to protect his new immune system, he attended kindergarten. But that school year, in early 2017, he relapsed. He was readmitted to Children's and for another 6 months went through it all over again...multiple rounds of intensive chemotherapy, total body irradiation, all followed by a second bone marrow transplant. But after another 10 months in isolation, his immune system and his body recovered and he has been in remission now for over 3 years! He's been back in school now in 4th grade, playing soccer, baseball and golf, and just being an awesome and hilarious 10 year old kid. Through all of this we've seen first hand the power that efforts like Kicks for Cancer can have on patients and their outcomes. The research that this fundraising supports is life saving and life changing, and it gives everyone, especially our kids, hope for a better future. We hope you will help support this amazing cause! |
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Coach Paul Sands Kicks for Cancer 2017
At the 2017 KICKS game the entire Woburn team chose to have "Coach" on their backs in honor of their beloved Coach Paul Sands, who was being treated for esophageal cancer. This was a complete surprise to Coach Sands! His wife Rosey had carefully arranged all the details. Coach Sands was able to attend the game with the loving aide of Rosey and many family members. He retired from coaching after that 2017 season, having given 33 years to the Woburn men's team as their varsity head coach. He is doing well, enjoying retirement and watching as many Woburn games as possible. His wife Rosey continues to be a bright light of kindness everywhere she goes in the world.
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