It is another fight for life.
On one side, there is a history of darkness and destruction.
On the other, there is an innocent teen who just wants to get back to playing baseball.
Sounds like an unfair fight. Actually, it is an unfair fight.
Cancer has virtually no chance.
Not against Tyler White. Not against his Union High School baseball brothers. Not against the baseball community and the softball community. Not against all of his family and friends.
“I just didn’t know what to think. I cried. I did,” White said upon hearing the diagnosis — Hodgkin lymphoma — in late December. “I just had to accept the fact I was dealt this and that it was going to make me the person I’m going to be in 20 years.”
White took a day or two to withstand the initial blow, then it was go time.
Word spread faster than any cancer — Join Tyler’s Team.
A meal train was set up, so the family would not have to worry about dinner plans around Tyler’s chemotherapy sessions. Bracelets and T-shirts have been sold, raising money for the family. Last week at baseball and softball games around Southwest Washington, teams wore purple — the color representing the fight against Hodgkin lymphoma — in honor of Tyler.
“It’s definitely really humbling that everybody is there to help me,” White said. “It means a lot.”
His parents are grateful, as well. Marci and John White are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
Jenny Bauer is one of the organizers of Tyler’s Team. Her son, Jack, plays baseball with Tyler at Union and has been close friends with Tyler since elementary school.
“That hit home for us. We’ve considered him one of our own for a long time,” Jenny Bauer said. “When it’s a young, healthy kid you watched grow, it makes it a little tougher.”
It came down to figuring out the best ways to support Tyler and his family through the battle.
“When you feel so helpless, you can do a small thing,” Jenny Bauer said.
The thing is, the Whites say, there are no small things associated with the struggle against cancer. Every little thing is big. That is why Tyler and his parents wanted to share their story, to make sure everyone who has helped them is aware of the impact that they have had.
It did start as a 1-on-1 battle, before Tyler White even knew he was in a battle. There was discomfort and swelling in his neck. Tyler wondered what it was, but also figured it would go away soon enough. That was the last time he was alone in this fight.
As soon as he told his parents about it, his team of support grew. His older sisters — Lindsey, Katelyn, and Rachal — joined in with the fight, too.
There was a trip to the doctor. Tests. A biopsy. More tests. Then the diagnosis.
Right away, the doctor joined the team, reassuring the Whites that everything would be OK.
John White recalls the doctor’s words, taking comfort that the odds were in his son’s favor.
“If you’ve gotta have cancer, this is the one you want. This is the most curable,” John White said.
Tyler caught it early, too. Stage 1.
Still, it is cancer. It is scary.
“The only thing you want to do as a parent is protect, make sure your child is safe,” Marci said.
Mom and dad were amazed with how Tyler handled the news. The first day was tough, but Tyler made it easier on everybody with his attitude.
Marci describes him as brave and courageous, a leader.
His approach meant that no one else around him could feel sorry for him, no one could show fear.
“It’s been tough,” said his close friend, Jack Bauer. “I was kind of down. But then I had to pick myself up for him. Being a good friend and staying positive was my main duty.”
Tyler credits his girlfriend for always being there for him, too. But Whitnye Ogden said Tyler has been just as giving to her through this ordeal.
“I’ve never been super close to anyone who was going through something like this,” Ogden said. “It has taught me how to be there for somebody. He has showed me how strong he is. I’ve learned little problems don’t really matter.”
Tyler, too, has learned patience. Initially, he hoped that he could go through chemotherapy and bounce back to still play baseball for the Titans this spring.
Plans and priorities change.
Tyler was going to have four sessions of chemotherapy. It turned into eight. A port used to deliver the medicine was implanted on the left side of his chest so the right-hander could still throw a baseball. However, that port caused an infection and doctors had to move the port to his right side. It became too uncomfortable to play.
Bummed at first, Tyler quickly figured out there is a reason for everything.
“I can take time and listen to my body,” Tyler said. “Sacrificing one season of baseball for my whole life … you gotta do what you gotta do.”
He is not playing this spring with the Titans, but he remains a big part of the team. He has missed baseball functions only when they have conflicted with his chemotherapy or other medical appointments. He participates in practice, even if he is not 100 percent, even if he cannot perform every drill.
“It’s pretty motivating to me to see him out there,” Union coach Ben McGrew said. “He loves baseball and being around his buddies.”
As of last week, Tyler said everything is going to plan with his treatment. He expects to be back in center field this summer with the Vancouver Cardinals, a select traveling team. Next year, as a senior, he plans on making the all-league team, representing Union.
This season, he has had to settle for being in the dugout for a championship team. Union won the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League title and is playing Thursday in the district championship game.
“I’m just trying keep up with my team and support them. I know they are supporting me,” Tyler said.
The Titans clinched the title on a special day for the White family. All those who helped the family in any way were invited to show up to Wednesday’s game, wearing purple. They sported Titan Baseball T-shirts with Tyler’s No. 20, and the purple ribbon, with the words: “Never Quit” and “No One Fights Alone.” They wore the purple bracelets.
Union’s opponent that day, Battle Ground, played in purple socks. The Tigers presented Tyler with a gift, and both teams came to home plate to celebrate Tyler just before the first pitch.
“It means a lot, that’s for sure,” John White said. “My wife, on the way here, was saying, ‘Try not to cry.’?”
At another field in Clark County, Columbia River’s baseball team dressed in its all-purple tops, then posted a photo of the team flashing the “U” hand sign for Union.
“One of the coolest things I saw was when River took that picture and put it on Twitter,” McGrew said.
Baseball rivalries do not mean much when a baseball player is in need.
After the Union-Battle Ground game, Tyler White released purple balloons. The wind did not carry them over the screen used to stop foul balls. Perhaps that was a good sign, too. The balloons did not want to leave the baseball diamond.
The diamond is a special place for Tyler White. He has learned this year more than any other that baseball is not the only thing in life, but it still remains an integral part of his life.
“Being an athlete, it helps you,” Tyler said of battling cancer. “You’re used to pushing through things.”
Tyler White is also used to being part of a team.
His team just keeps growing, and it is winning.
