Iowa Girl Battling Cancer Visits Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field
Last week, I shared the story of Ashlyn Clark's battle with cancer and a special night with teammates that she'll never forget. The recent graduate of Humboldt High School was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in early May. She loves softball and after being on and off the field this season due to cancer treatments, she homered during Senior Night at Humboldt Monday, July 8. Her story and that home run, the first of her high school career, caught the attention of Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester.
Lester, too, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, in 2006. Last week, he extended an invitation to Clark on Twitter to visit him at Wrigley Field. He also wanted Ashlyn's autograph. He got it Wednesday in Chicago:
My two favorite things that were said in that video? Ashlyn's mom: "It means a lot to her that somebody like Jon would come down to her level and treat her like a celebrity herself." Ashlyn: "It just shows how great people are."
The fact the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-2, no doubt made the day even better.