I’ve mentioned before that I’m not the biggest baseball fan anymore. The 1994-1995 strike killed most of my enthusiasm for the game. While I’ll still go to a game from time to time, and I definitely enjoy a pick-up game with friends, I no longer read the daily paper, observing the status of my favorite team and their progress towards the World Series. But I’ll still watch a game from time to time. Last year, I enjoyed watching the San Francisco Giants (my childhood favorite) win the series, although I was reluctant to still call myself a major fan.
Since then, I’ve enjoyed reading about the unique crop of players that make up that team. I still have many friends back in Northern California who regularly post about all the Bay Area sports teams. On Monday, a friend of mine shared an incredible video that has already become a YouTube, featuring Keenan Cahill and three stars from the Giants.
If you’re unfamiliar with Keenan, here is a basic summary from Big League Stew:
He’s a 16-year-old from Elmhurst, Ill., who has a rare disorder named Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome. The complex condition comes with a host of problems — including stunted growth — and fewer than 1,100 people are estimated to have it worldwide. The drugs used to treat it are among the most expensive in the world with one prescription costing about $350,000 per year. He’s undergone countless surgeries and has to receive weekly infusions designed to replace his enzymes and prolong his life.
Over the past three years, he’s become a popular fixture on YouTube as he enthusiastically lip-synchs along to popular songs often times featuring surprising cameos from the artists themselves.
Apparently, Keenan met up with the defending champions during spring training this March and put together this fun video. Here’s where it gets better:
Rather than just adding another fun internet video to YouTube, the Giants stars are also doing something to assist Keenan and causes close to his heart. On May 25th, Brian Wilson & Cody Ross will host “Dynamite: A Fundraiser for Keenan Cahill” with proceeds benefiting important charities.
We live in a culture right now that worships fame. It’s nice to see people who use their fame to serve others.
Can groups on your campus do the same?
Can the football team spotlight an important project put on by the environmental club?
Could your choir spotlight resources available from peer counselors?
Could your student government spotlight an important local charity?
Can we work together to achieve more?
I believe the answer is yes.
So let’s do it.