Cancer kids live dreams at Shea

It was just another hot July afternoon before a game at Shea Stadium - veterans passing along wisdom to rookies, coaches advising on proper techniques and players getting in their exercises. Except that, the squad was mostly cancer survivors still in grade school.
July 25 marked the third annual Kids Day at Shea Stadium, co-sponsored by the Mets and the New York City Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Nearly 40 kids between the ages of six and 16, nearly half of whom are currently cancer patients, helped the grounds crew prepare the field before that night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. They also participated in baseball clinics under the direction of Mets coaches, and, along with their families, enjoyed a picnic lunch.
&#8220We advertise this event in every area hospital with a pediatric unit,” said Meg Harrison, Patient Services Manager for the Society. &#8220The kids can forget cancer, doctors and treatment for a day and just enjoy being a kid.”
&#8220It's also a break for parents,” added Brianna Barker, a society spokesperson. &#8220They come here for a day of fun for their kids and leave as a part of our family.”
Holly Kelly of Jamaica Estates could not agree more.
&#8220It's an absolutely wonderful break from all they have to go through,” she said.
Her son Kevin, who is &#8220eight and a half,” was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on July 22, 2003.
After almost three years of chemotherapy, he is &#8220doing very well,” she said, reaching over to knock on the wooden bench in the visitor's bullpen.
&#8220He loves their programs,” she said, recounting that Kevin appeared in a promotional video for the Society's other signature event, the &#8220Light the Night Walk” against juvenile cancers.
&#8220These events keep his spirits up,” she said. &#8220And he's in love with Andi.”
Andi Grahlman, 25, started working with the Society about three years ago, and met Kevin and his mom at her first event. &#8220He tells everyone I'm his girlfriend,” she giggled.
Turning serious, Grahlman said, &#8220It's great to make a difference in a child's life.” &#8220It makes my job even more fulfilling,” she added, showing just the hint of emotion in her sky-blue eyes.
Corona native Juan Pichardo, 9, was diagnosed with ALL five years ago, according to his dad, Guillermo Hernandez. &#8220We just heard about this from the social worker at P.S. 16,” Hernandez said.
&#8220Juan had a little relapse and he was down,” Hernandez recalled. &#8220From the moment we heard about this day it's been helping a lot. He just loves baseball and is a big Mets fan - that's him in the Jose Reyes shirt.”
For more information about blood cancer, call the Society's Resource Center at 800-955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or visit www.LLS.org/nyc