Panthers show they're in Cam's corner

Cameron Wakeley

Cameron Wakeley

By Gary Weckselblatt

The Quakertown Community High School baseball team is holding a special fundraiser for its April 26 game against Pennridge, 7 p.m. at Memorial Park Stadium in Quakertown.

The team is selling T-shirts and collecting donations on behalf of Cameron Wakeley, a 7-year-old baseball player who has been diagnosed with Ewing' s Sarcoma. All money raised will go to defray Cam' s medical costs. Faculty and staff are taking part in a dress down day on April 24 to support the cause. Money will also be collected at the game between two quality teams -- $5 is a suggested donation.

Panthers catcher Justin Butler, who is friends with Cam, helped inspire the idea for Cam Night. "I see what he' s going through," Justin said. "This is something the team is doing to make him feel special. It' s sad to see someone so young have to go through something like this. We' re trying to build strength around him, so he knows we' re all with him."

In previous years, the baseball team raised money for the Miracle League of Lehigh Valley. This season, unable to continue that fundraiser, Coach Jonathan Pallone said his team "is going to continue our course to give back to the community through the sport we love."

Mr. Pallone, who has helped develop the baseball program into one of the area' s finest, said his players are amazing student-athletes and solid citizens.

"Cam is someone who loves baseball, and our kids find out about that and see what he' s going through and they want to help," he said. "Our kids love playing baseball and want to share it. They' re raised well. They' re seeing something they can actually impact, and they want to do anything they can to help."

Cam' s story has made an impression on the high school' s athletic teams. Last year, Domenic DeFalco, one of the top 132-pound wrestlers in District 1, helped lift Cam' s spirits by having his teammates make a video that Domenic posted to Twitter. The team stood behind Domenic as he says, "Hey Cameron. On behalf of the Quakertown wrestling team, we just want you to know that we' re 100 percent behind you through everything you do, and we wish you the best."

Last September, on Childhood Cancer Night at Alumni Field, Cam was one of several youngsters recognized and cheered as they walked to midfield, hand-in-hand, with the Panther captains for the football pregame coin toss.

Cam' s family has created a Facebook page, called Cam' s Corner, that details the ups and downs of Cam' s fight. Please check it out.

Gary Weckselblatt, QCSD Director of Communications, writes about the people and the programs that impact the Quakertown Community School District. He can be reached at 215-529-2028 or [email protected].

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