By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
When doctors told the McCord family of Jackson to “take your child home and make memories because they will be your last,” a crusade of sorts took place.
Today, it is known as Kellen’s Krusade.
The hockey teams from Lumen Christi Catholic High School and Jackson United will host a fundraising game on Saturday for pediatric cancer awareness and Kellen’s Krusade.
The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at Optimist Ice Arena. The rivalry game will also feature the battle for the old leather skate – a symbol of bragging rights for the winner of the trophy.
Jackson United enters the rivalry contest with a 2-7 record while the Titans are 5-2 after starting the season with five consecutive wins.
The first of two games between the two teams will be a fundraiser for childhood cancer. Three boys in the Jackson area are currently battling childhood cancer or in remission, including Kellen McCord.
Hockey has always been a passion for Kellen growing up.
The family has set up a 501(c)(3) organization with the goal of finding a cure for relapsed neuroblastoma by raising awareness and funding cutting-edge research.
“We are committed to supporting clinical trials to reduce the number of children affected by relapsed neuroblastoma,” the website kellenskrusade.org states.
In August of 2011– after a number of months of mysterious illnesses, Kellen was diagnosed with stage 4, high risk neuroblastoma.
Neuroblastoma is a cancerous tumor that begins in nerve tissue of infants and very young children. The abnormal cells are often found in the nerve tissue that is present in the unborn baby and later develops into a detectable tumor.
High-intensive chemotherapy began destroying his liver. The family was told at one point to bring in a priest.
But four weeks after beginning the treatment, Kellen walked out of the hospital.
Four years later, scans revealed that the cancer had returned to his brain. The treatment was so harsh, the family stopped and sought a second opinion. According to the website, Dr. Giselle Scholler was the guiding light that saved Kellen.
A new vaccine trial to help train Kellen’s body to fight any new cancer cell was available for the family. After six years of attempting to get into such a trial, his prayers were answered.
Thus, the beginning of Kellen’s Krusade – a website for fundraising for clinical trials and research, sharing stories, and offering daily recipes, protocol and supplements.
Nearly 40 Jackson-area businesses have helped with support for the cause.
Kellen turned 13 in December and was the honorary puck dropper for the first South Central Hockey League game between Lumen Christi and Portage Central.
The Titans will host Dexter tonight (Friday) at 6 p.m. and be the host school at the rivalry game Saturday against Jackson United beginning at 7 p.m.
The Vikings will host the rematch at Optimist on Friday, Jan. 17, beginning at 6 p.m.
JTV Sports will be covering Saturday night’s game and the broadcast will air on Sunday, January 5 at 1 PM and 7 PM.
