His name is Mark Staehely (pictured with his mom Sue on his left and elves from Children's Memorial Hospital), and he's the most inspirational person I've ever met.
It was 2005, after the White Sox World Series victory parade. One of my photographers asked if one of Ozzie Guillen's kids was sick because Guillen said at the end of a news conference that he had to go visit a sick kid in the hospital.
Turns out the kid was Mark, and I'll never forget him.
Mark was 16 when I met him, but he looked like he was about 10. He suffered from a particularly brutal form of cancer called neuroblastoma, which affects the physical and emotional growth of the patient.
I visited Mark at Children's Memorial Hospital expecting to write a somewhat predictable piece about Ozzie visiting a sick child. But the story turned out to be anything but predictable.
Mark was more than just a sick child. He was a hero. He never felt sorry for himself, but he did feel sorry for the other kids in his ward, so he started a toy drive. He inspired so many people to help that it became -- and remains -- the biggest toy drive in Children's history. In fact, it's so big the toys are being distributed to kids at other hospitals.
Mark died in 2006, but his dream lives on.
I happened to catch Frank Mathie's piece on this year's drive the other day and couldn't stop smiling when I saw Mark's mother Sue, who went through so much, still helping Mark reach out to other children.
The toy drive is bigger than ever. I was there in '05 to see the faces of the children when they received a toy from Mark, and it was incredible.
Mark also was a huge sports fan. The Sox made him a guest for 10 games during '05, and while Ozzie didn't make it to the hospital, he phoned Mark and left a big impression.
But the sports personality who did the most for Mark was one who was behind the scenes, when only the nurses and other patients would notice. When Dick Jauron coached the Bears, he and his wife would visit Children's on Saturdays before home games. Sue told me he was such a genuine and friendly person who took a sincere interest in Mark.
Jauron had Mark come down to Bourbonnais for training camp one year, and Rex Grossman, Brian Urlacher and David Terrell all made sure to spend time with Mark.
I'm guessing if those guys were watching Mathie's piece on Wednesday, it brought a smile to their faces, too.
If you'd like to read more about Mark or donate to his cause, click here.
It's always the kids that break our hearts the most. That's especially so when they are so heroic despite their glaring fates. This hero reminds me of a ten-year-old boy in my locale of Seattle who recently died. "Make a Wish" went to him. You know what he wanted from "Make a Wish"? Anyway, he wanted the homeless and disadvantage people to have their lives brightened. If there's a more selfless act on earth, could someone please tell me? I can't write this with a dry eye.
Roman responds: You're right Gig.
Thanks, Roman. I think few stories epitomize what the holiday season is really all about like this one. This kid is a hero in every sense of the word.
To everyone, nothing in life is guaranteed or lasts forever. Make sure that as you gather with friends and family in this festive time, to fully cherish the moments you have with them. Let no petty feuds or squabbles get in the way.
Happy Holidays to all.
I have watched a wife and an older brother succum to cancer and still cannot fathom watching a child go through that. Yet it seems that children face it with a courage that only innocence can. Admittedly after my wife and brother accepted their fate and realized everything that could be done had been done they became concerned for those they were leaving behind but children seem to think in broader terms as Mark did.
God bless the children especially at this time of the year.
Roman responds: Sorry for your losses Tim. I lost my mother to cancer about 5 weeks ago, and while it's always very difficult to lose a parent, she lived a good, long life. Mark didn't, but the kid was an angel and still is making others smile.
The other sad part about this story is that in Frank Mathie's piece the other day on ABC7 (and on a similar piece on Thursday's on NBC5) both said that collections for the wonderful Toys for Tots organization is way down this season than from previous years.
Well to help stem that tide, three former Negro League (Baseball) Legends will be at JCJ Memorabilia this Saturday afternoon (December 20th) collecting toys for them and of course for the children in Chicagoland.
The Negro League Legends will be at JCJ which is located on the 7th Floor of the Michigan Avenue (Chicago) Water Tower Place mall between the hours of 12 noon and 3PM. Their items make for some very unique gifts!
For more info, call (312) 859-7788 or check out: www.NegroLeagueLegends.org or the events schedule at the official Water Tower Place website @ http://www.shopwatertower.com/html/events.
I'm smiling (with pretty wet eyes).
Thanks for the story.
Excellent Fantastic Posts! The good Lord asked the disciples to be like children - and this is why! Christmas is my favorite of the Holidays because the true meaning of it is LOVE. True Christmas is about Love/Sacrifice. Love in its purest for is giving as God would - and that is without an expectation/reciprocation.
These children are heroes! Beacons of light in the darkness.
My prayers are with you and Tim, Roman.
this is probably the best topic you have covered roman, and my many respects to all the volunteers and people who give and help the less fortunate on a regular basis. i think the only thing that bothers me about this story is the lack of response from your bloggers for a story like this. we as a society need more stories like this to open our hearts and minds to what is really important in this world not how many pro bowlers got snubbed or who will be playing left field for the cubs next year. thank you roman for the piece and may we all have a blessed holiday and new year.
Thank you Roman and you have my condolences on the loss of your mother also. Like your mother my wife and brother lived good lives maybe not as long, she was 57 and he was 60 but it is the little ones that are angels and seem to make people smile long after they are gone regardless of how much they are missed.