Mariners hold camp, honor Cole Whitworth
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
POLSON — The Mission Valley Mariners will hold their annual youth baseball camp Saturday, May 11, from 8 a.m. to noon at O’Malley Park in Polson. All those interested in attending should bring baseball equipment: cleats, glove and hat. There will be registration at 8 a.m., and camp will start at 8:30. Following the game, there will be lunch and the Mission Valley Mariners will be host the Kalispell Lakers AA.
The Mission Valley Mariners would also like to make this a special day for one of the Valley’s special youth. ColeJene Whitworth was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a common childhood cancer, in September 2012 while in Spokane for a family vacation. The brain tumor was the size of a golf ball and was located in the back of his brain. The tumor was successfully removed at Sacred Heart Children’s hospital in Spokane, Wash.
ColeJene is 6 years old and attending Cherry Valley Elementary. He also has a tutor who comes to the Ronald McDonald House where he stays with his mom during treatments. He had just begun soccer practice and kindergarten when he was diagnosed. Cole completed six weeks of radiation therapy along with chemotherapy in September-November 2012. In January 2013, Cole began what the doctors in Spokane call the “big guns.” This chemo is the insurance that the tumor does not return. Cole and his mother stay at the Ronald McDonald House for three weeks and then get to come home to Polson for three weeks each round, when blood counts are stable and his body is safe. He will have eight rounds total.
Cole returns to Spokane on Sunday, Mother’s Day, for the beginning of the fourth round. Please come and support this young man in this endeavor and see him throw out the first pitch on Saturday at 1 p.m.
