Campout with a cause

Deepa Bharath

Steve Quackenbush and Rod Carew share a special bond.

Both spent many nights at the Children’s Hospital of Orange

County, sitting in a room together, wondering if their children would

make it through their respective battles with cancer.

Quackenbush’s son, Marshall, now 10, survived it. But the former

Anaheim Angels slugger’s daughter, Michelle, died at age 17. Marshall

was diagnosed with a cancer that affects the nervous system when he

was 15 months old. Michelle succumbed to leukemia seven months after

she was diagnosed.

It was their collective experience that made the two dads start a

fundraiser last year at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, inviting fathers

and sons from the Newport Beach YMCA’s Indian nations to spend a

night camping out at the ballpark. They did it again Friday night.

More than 600 dads and sons from Newport Beach pitched, batted and

played catch under the bright lights, where World Series games have

been played and won. The families had raised money to benefit the

Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation that allocates funds for

research on cancers that specifically affect children.

On Friday, the atmosphere was throbbing with energy as the

children charged around the green grass with excitement. Depending on

how much money they raised, some got to take pictures with Carew or

get baseballs autographed by him.

Michael Palitz, owner of La Cave restaurant in Newport Beach, who

was there with his son Benjamin, said the event will go a long way in

helping children with cancer.

“And it’s a great event, because it’s neat to be able to sleep on

the field where the World Series games have been played,” he said.

“You get to pitch from the pitching mound. For one night, the whole

stadium is ours. It’s great.”

Benjamin said he planned on playing with his friends until the

lights went out at 11 p.m.

“I’m also going to attack other tribes and take their flags,” he

said, with a smile.

Last year, the event raised $57,000, Quackenbush said. This year,

they hope to raise between $80,000 and $100,000.

The children, while having a good time, also get an education, he

said.

“Raising pledges for kids with cancer is a way for these

privileged boys to learn about kids who aren’t that lucky,”

Quackenbush said.

This event is special because it involves children, said Jim

Weisenbach, incoming president of the Pediatric Cancer Research

Foundation.

“It’s children giving back to children,” he said. “It definitely

helps spread awareness, not only among children but their parents as

well.”

Carew said he feels a special connection with this event because

it saves young lives.

“I lost a daughter,” he said. “But I feel like I’ve gained a lot

of other kids.”

The baseball Hall of Famer said he was also keeping a promise he

made to his dying daughter.

“She told me, ‘No matter what happens to me, you have to help

these kids out,’” Carew said.

Jim Wysopal, who was there with his two sons, said he felt humbled

by what he has learned about cancer-stricken children.

“It makes me feel fortunate,” he said. “In the Mojave group, we

have a saying that we should help the helpless. That’s what we’re

here to do.”

* DEEPA BHARATH is the enterprise and general assignment reporter.

She may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or by e-mail at

[email protected].