Nick Pivetta

Home Run for Hope

A few years ago a group of my closest childhood friends from Virginia Beach flew out to Houston to watch me play in the 2017 World Series against the Astros. One of those friends was Kyle Profilet. I didn’t know it yet, but Kyle had recently been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, better known as “Sracoma”, a bone cancer in his right leg. He said he didn’t want to tell me about it while I was playing in the postseason. Kyle never wanted anyone’s sympathy. Throughout his 2 and a half year battle, he repeatedly spared me and our friends the constant exacerbating news from the doctors. News that the chemo treatments were not working. News that he was going to lose his right leg. News that the cancer had spread to his lungs, and then to his brain. Despite it all, Kyle never lost hope. He was the toughest guy I’ve ever known and he fought til the very end. Four years ago, I had never heard of sarcoma. Now, it has affected my life on many different levels. This past year, I had to watch my girlfriend get the same phone call I had received just a year earlier. I knew right away. Mary’s childhood friend, Brian, had also lost his fight with Sarcoma. As she was sobbing in my arms, I couldn’t fathom how this seemingly “rare” disease constantly kept crawling back into my life. My neighbor and friend, Dalton Fox, is currently fighting for his life and has been an inspiration in his own right. Dalton lives on the same street as my parents and like Kyle, also lost his leg in his fight with Ewing Sarcoma. My parents often see Dalton riding his arm bike in the neighborhood wearing his Dodgers gear with a big smile on his face. Even though we lost Kyle and many others, there are still so many kids that can be saved from this devastating disease. Maybe it’s not Sarcoma, but some form of cancer has had an impact on all of us. I’m determined to not let Dalton, or anyone else go through this fight alone. Together, we can save lives. - Chris Taylor Forming the CT3 Foundation, we aim to raise money to help kids with cancer and help the lives of all those affected. By hosting and promoting fundraiser events, donation drives and more we can provide support, fund research and improve the lives of many!