Kade Eilers has been battling T-cell leukemia. His visit with Correa was a memory he’ll never forget.
HOUSTON — We’re all glad to have Carlos Correa back on the Astros, not just because of his performance on the field, but also because of what he’s doing off the field. That includes making the day of an inspiring young cancer patient.
Kade Eilers from Cypress has faced more than most teens his age. Diagnosed with T-cell leukemia last October, he has spent months in and out of the hospital. Through it all, he’s kept his spirits high and his love for baseball even higher.
“I want Carlos Correa to hit one deep right field into the stands,” Kade said.
Kade got the surprise of a lifetime, actually meeting Correa, thanks to the Correa Family Foundation and Texas Children’s Hospital.
He and his family were treated to a VIP experience at the ballpark, complete with a suite for his family and a chance to watch batting practice from the field.
“I just met Carlos Correa, and it was one of the best fan experiences of my life,” Kade said. “He’s a really cool guy.”
Dr. Ricky Flores, who works closely with the Foundation, sees the impact of these experiences.
“We bring them to the batting practice. They say hi to them. They have a special day, and then they go to the suite, to eat a lot of food and a lot of dessert and just have a regular day in their lives,” he said. “And it’s been so beautiful and priceless because now that we have been doing it for several years, when I meet these patients back, they say, like it can be three or four years ago, but they still say that this was their favorite day in their lives.”
Child life specialist CJ Canlas and facility dog Cohen even joined in on the fun.
“To see them as the child themselves and at Astros fan, not just a patient and being treated for receiving meds, so it’s really awesome to see them outside the hospital with their families enjoying America’s best pastime,” she said. “So it’s a pretty cool thing.”
“I got a signature right here on my ball,” Kade said. “I’ll frame this baby when I get home.”
Kade is back in school and he is doing what he loves. He’s playing guitar, cooking, and spending time outdoors. But that night at the ballpark, he says that’s a memory that will stay with him forever.
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