With an assist from
Young fan battled cancer, thrilled to meet NFL players
the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a New Jersey teen battling cancer makes it to the Pro Bowl and meets some of the NFL’s best players.
The day after Kyle Brainard’s chemotherapy treatments ended, preseason football practice began. Kyle was there. Cancer reinforced this New Jersey kid’s toughness. After all, Kyle refused to let Hodgkin lymphoma or chemotherapy sideline him from playing AAU basketball, learn how to water-ski or prepare for football and soccer.
“Eleven-year-old kids were texting him, saying when they have a cold and they don’t feel like going to practice, they think about him and go to practice,’’ said Kyle’s father, Steve.
Kyle is one of five Make-AWish children who will attend the Pro Bowl at 3 p.m. Sunday at Camping World Stadium. The game will be shown on ESPN, ABC (WFTV-Ch. 9) and ESPN Deportes.
Several players stopped after practice Friday at Disney World to sign autographs for the league’s special guests.
“I am a big fan of the NFL, so I really like it when I get to meet players,’’ said Kyle, his brown, wavy, shoulder-length hair flapping in the wind. “It’s really cool. I kind of want to be just like them.’’ The admiration is mutual. “When you see a family going through something, it reminds you of what’s really going on in people’s lives,’’ Oakland Raiders QB Derek Carr said. “I had my son go through three [intestinal] surgeries. I’ve been there, and so any time you can be there for a family, give them some hope, some encouragement, I’m all for it.’’
Make-A-Wish was founded in 1980 and granted more than 15,400 wishes in the United States and its territories last year, according to its data. Out of those, 321 came from the area chapter.
“Our wish kids are just like any other kids,’’ said Kelsea Hauck, development manager of MakeA-Wish Central Florida and North Florida. “They have big dreams and big goals, and they want to know it’s possible.’’
Kyle, 13, was in fifth grade two years ago in Scotch Plains, N.J., — a little more than 30 miles southwest of Manhattan — when he noticed a lump. It was slightly larger than a grape, surrounded by a few smaller ones and affixed to his right leg.
A biopsy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia revealed cancer.
“It’s extremely scary, and for a little while, you’re devastated,’’ said Kyle’s mother, Laura. “We spent a lot of time just trying to process that and realize what reality was going to be like, at least for the next few months.’’
Kyle’s reality was not altered by the diagnosis, at least not in seismic ways. While the chemo made him sick and nauseous, cancer’s intrusion into his life didn’t keep him from doing what he enjoyed. He was persistent. “He asked a lot of questions,’’ Steve said. “He wanted to know what his treatment was, and he was very engaged in it. He got interested in science and had questions about medical stuff, which he never did before.’’
Kyle’s diagnosis changed others’ perspectives as well.
When Kyle began losing his hair, a friend whose mother had gone through breast cancer organized a community event for those who wanted to get their hair cut in support of him.
About 80 people, some of whom did not know Kyle, volunteered for a spot in the barber’s chair. Some had Kyle’s initials carved into their hair, his father said.
“It felt like they were supporting me,’’ Kyle said. “It helped me get through chemotherapy.’’
Kyle’s treatments ended last August. He went into remission a month later and has regular doctor’s visits every three months.
“We better understand what’s important in life,’’ Laura said. “Maybe things we used to get worked up about, anything from dishes in the sink, dusting the floors and little arguments with people … Overall, we just have a different perspective.’’
The Brainards, including Kyle’s younger sister, Ella, will go to Disney World today before taking in the Pro Bowl. They will return home Monday.
Kyle’s life is busy, and it’s about to get busier.
Lacrosse season starts in the spring.