The softball community is more like a family and when one suffers, the rest of the family rallies.
That was the case over the last several months in the greater Fayetteville/Hope Mills, North Carolina softball community as players and teams put all their rivalries aside to unite for one reason: help support Chris Jackson, a well-like coach and pitching/hitting instructor who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
On October 28, 2020, under the direction of Head Coach Heath Miller of the Firecrackers – Medina/Miller 14U travel ball team, more than 200 players, coaches and parents came out to Brower Park in Hope Mills for a clinic to help raise money for Coach Jackson and to help offset some of the costs of his medical bills.
“We just wanted to do something to help alleviate some of the financial burdens that Coach Chris and his family are facing so they can focus on what matters right now,” said Coach Miller. “The financial part from this clinic will be huge; but knowing Coach like I do, I know the way our softball community came together tonight will mean much more to him.”
Teams and organizations that are often rivals on game days came together on the dirt for a night of learning, fun and a show of support. Firecrackers Medina/Miller middle infielder Allie Dawson led the group in a prayer for healing and then more than 100 players, ages 6-to-16, from four states and 20 different teams participated in the defensive skills clinic.
“Our community has really come together and we’ve been able to show that the game of softball is capable of so much more,” added Coach Miller who said that the event raised $4,000 for Coach Chris’ battle and the donations as well as the show of support helped raise the spirits of Jackson and his family
“We are extremely grateful to so many people that helped make this event happen,” continued Miller. “Coach Chris and his family want everyone to know that words cannot express the gratitude and happiness in their hearts at this time. Coach is committed to the fight ahead, and our softball community let him know he won’t be in that fight alone.”
In the following months, Jackson went to UNC Chapel Hill’s hospital where he underwent several rounds of HiDAC chemotherapy to treat the cancer. As of last week, Miller said he had visited the North Carolina coach and he’s progressing positively through the medical procedures.
“The bone marrow process is quite lengthy,” explains Coach Miller, “but several matches have been found. At this time, Coach Chris is doing labs about three times a week to make sure everything is on track for him to receive his bone marrow transplant.”
“Personally I have been over to his house a few times and he is in good spirit and ready to get back on the dirt when this is all over.”
His players are certainly excited to have him back on the grass and in the dugouts.
“I miss being on the field with Coach Chris in the game or in practice,” admits Firecracker player Amariya Green. “He is really nice and very supportive in whatever we do.”
“Coach Chris pushes me to be the best I can,” agrees Firecracker player and pitching student Rylan Miller. “He is strong mentally and makes his pitchers work that way too. Also, he is really funny and I love how he gives us all nicknames. Every time I go to a lesson, I know I’m going to work, but he makes it fun.”
And his head coach looks forward to having Jackson back contributing soon.
“Coach Chris finds a way to get the most out of all his students,” says Coach Miller. “I’ve never seen another coach be able to make a girl believe in herself more confidently than Coach Chris. It’s like his superpower is making other people see their full potential.”
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Click HERE to go to the GoFundMe link for Coach Chris Jackson if you’d like to make a donation.
