On A Mission For Mitch
Mitch McCabe never intended to become a hero.
Sometimes in life you get the rare opportunity to get to know someone who changes your life. They challenge you to be a better you, simply because they are so incredible themselves. Yes, Mitch is incredibly smart, kind, respectful, giving, selfless, funny and an all-around good guy. He is the kid you'd pick to be your child's best friend, your daughter's husband, or wish your children would grow up to be like. However, the characteristic that stands out the most is the way he inspires those around him to be their very best.
In 2007, Mitch’s senior year of high school, his family moved from Winchester, IN to New Madison, OH. He graduated from Tri-Village High School in 2008, attended Wright State University majoring in biomedical engineering, and graduated with his bachelor's degree in 2012. Mitch, at the age of 23, was engaged, working as a teacher's assistant, had an internship and well on his way to a successful adult life. He was on his way to accomplishing many of his life goals while inspiring others to do the same. He is an inspiration, to me and so many others.
June 2013:
Within a week of graduating from Wright State University, Mitch goes to the hospital with chest pain. His CAT scans show a mass of nodes around his heart. Mitch has CANCER. Specific diagnosis is difficult. Chemotherapy begins.
June 2013 – February 2014:
Mitch has his nodes biopsied. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center diagnoses him with Synovial Sarcoma. Synovial Sarcoma is a very rare malignant cancer that typically forms in the soft tissue around joints, but not for Mitch. Mitch’s cancer has formed around his heart.
Mitch's more specific diagnosis allows his specialists to define a more targeted plan of chemotherapy, 12 cycles. The intention is to reduce the size of the mass and potentially remove the tumor. Tumor removal of sarcomas is quite common, however, because Mitch's tumor is around his heart he is told it is far too risky for him to have the tumor surgically removed.
Mitch has continual support from his parents, brother, grandparents, fiancé, friends, teachers and professors. Oddly though, as we feel like we need to be with him as supporters, he supports us. His positive attitude, inspiring words and the character with which he chooses to fight cancer both blesses and inspires all those around him.
Mitch doesn't complain. He doesn't focus on the negative; he seeks knowledge to understand. He physically and mentally battles cancer with courage and bravery while educating those around him. Mitch exemplifies the person we'd all hope to be if we were ever given a similar diagnosis.
Throughout the next several months, he continues chemotherapy and runs through 8 cycles of very targeted radiation. He also works as a teacher's assistant, continues his master's program at WSU in systems engineering, and makes plans to move forward with his life after cancer. In early February 2014 his x-rays show his tumor has shrunk! It has reduced from a 12 cm mass to a 2-3 cm mass. GREAT NEWS!
Late February 2013:
Mitch is given a break in his treatment regimen. The tumor has reduced in size, his health continues to improve and the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation begin to fade. Mitch's spirit and future are bright. He continues with his college course work, seeks future employment and internships and moves forward with his goal to live a “normal” life as he’d always planned.
June 2014:
Scans show the tumor on his heart is aggressively growing again. Treatment cycles begin. Mitch puts his summer internship plans aside. He is forced to reduce his college course work and the work he is doing on his master’s degree. His physical condition deteriorates as his chemotherapy treatments take their toll on his now 24-year-old body, but his will to fight remains. Mitch’s spirit never deteriorates.
September 2014
Mitch moves his treatment to the Cancer Treatment Center of America, Chicago. He and one of his parents fly to Chicago for each cycle of treatment. They stay in Chicago through the treatment and recovery process then fly back to Dayton until the beginning of the next cycle. Chemotherapy is rough. The side effects of the treatment take a physical toll on him but he remains strong in the fight to be cancer free.
December 2014
Mitch returns to Chicago for cycle 4. Before treatment, he gets scans to determine the effects of the chemotherapy on his tumor. December 10 scans show the tumor is not responding to the treatments, and two new spots are now showing up on his lungs. Treatment plans change. We don’t know for sure what the plan will be. Mitch is courageous and brave; he knows the struggle ahead him yet remains strong.
Current:
Mitch has always lived in a way that made life better for those around him. Just being with him makes you want to be a better person, do things to the best of your ability and in general make the world a better place.
Being around Mitch during his journey with cancer sometimes makes me shake my head. I laugh to myself. I listen to his words, watch him make choices and reflect on his behavior and attitude. It is clear to me that Mitch McCabe living with cancer, not knowing what treatment or medical issues are next for him, not knowing what his future holds, still lives life more positively, more courageously, more bravely and more joyously than most people I know, including myself. Mitch McCabe never intended to become a hero, but he has. He is my hero.
On A Mission for Mitch is having a fundraiser on January 24th during the Winchester vs Tri-Village High School basketball game. We would love for all supporters of Mitch McCabe and his family to attend the fundraiser and share their support. Please give generously, your $5 or $500 donation is all very meaningful to Mitch and his family. All money collected will be used to support his treatment. Please use this page to support Mitch as well, both financially and through offering him words of encouragement.
Sometimes in life you get the rare opportunity to get to know someone who changes your life. They challenge you to be a better you, simply because they are so incredible themselves. Yes, Mitch is incredibly smart, kind, respectful, giving, selfless, funny and an all-around good guy. He is the kid you'd pick to be your child's best friend, your daughter's husband, or wish your children would grow up to be like. However, the characteristic that stands out the most is the way he inspires those around him to be their very best.
In 2007, Mitch’s senior year of high school, his family moved from Winchester, IN to New Madison, OH. He graduated from Tri-Village High School in 2008, attended Wright State University majoring in biomedical engineering, and graduated with his bachelor's degree in 2012. Mitch, at the age of 23, was engaged, working as a teacher's assistant, had an internship and well on his way to a successful adult life. He was on his way to accomplishing many of his life goals while inspiring others to do the same. He is an inspiration, to me and so many others.
June 2013:
Within a week of graduating from Wright State University, Mitch goes to the hospital with chest pain. His CAT scans show a mass of nodes around his heart. Mitch has CANCER. Specific diagnosis is difficult. Chemotherapy begins.
June 2013 – February 2014:
Mitch has his nodes biopsied. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center diagnoses him with Synovial Sarcoma. Synovial Sarcoma is a very rare malignant cancer that typically forms in the soft tissue around joints, but not for Mitch. Mitch’s cancer has formed around his heart.
Mitch's more specific diagnosis allows his specialists to define a more targeted plan of chemotherapy, 12 cycles. The intention is to reduce the size of the mass and potentially remove the tumor. Tumor removal of sarcomas is quite common, however, because Mitch's tumor is around his heart he is told it is far too risky for him to have the tumor surgically removed.
Mitch has continual support from his parents, brother, grandparents, fiancé, friends, teachers and professors. Oddly though, as we feel like we need to be with him as supporters, he supports us. His positive attitude, inspiring words and the character with which he chooses to fight cancer both blesses and inspires all those around him.
Mitch doesn't complain. He doesn't focus on the negative; he seeks knowledge to understand. He physically and mentally battles cancer with courage and bravery while educating those around him. Mitch exemplifies the person we'd all hope to be if we were ever given a similar diagnosis.
Throughout the next several months, he continues chemotherapy and runs through 8 cycles of very targeted radiation. He also works as a teacher's assistant, continues his master's program at WSU in systems engineering, and makes plans to move forward with his life after cancer. In early February 2014 his x-rays show his tumor has shrunk! It has reduced from a 12 cm mass to a 2-3 cm mass. GREAT NEWS!
Late February 2013:
Mitch is given a break in his treatment regimen. The tumor has reduced in size, his health continues to improve and the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation begin to fade. Mitch's spirit and future are bright. He continues with his college course work, seeks future employment and internships and moves forward with his goal to live a “normal” life as he’d always planned.
June 2014:
Scans show the tumor on his heart is aggressively growing again. Treatment cycles begin. Mitch puts his summer internship plans aside. He is forced to reduce his college course work and the work he is doing on his master’s degree. His physical condition deteriorates as his chemotherapy treatments take their toll on his now 24-year-old body, but his will to fight remains. Mitch’s spirit never deteriorates.
September 2014
Mitch moves his treatment to the Cancer Treatment Center of America, Chicago. He and one of his parents fly to Chicago for each cycle of treatment. They stay in Chicago through the treatment and recovery process then fly back to Dayton until the beginning of the next cycle. Chemotherapy is rough. The side effects of the treatment take a physical toll on him but he remains strong in the fight to be cancer free.
December 2014
Mitch returns to Chicago for cycle 4. Before treatment, he gets scans to determine the effects of the chemotherapy on his tumor. December 10 scans show the tumor is not responding to the treatments, and two new spots are now showing up on his lungs. Treatment plans change. We don’t know for sure what the plan will be. Mitch is courageous and brave; he knows the struggle ahead him yet remains strong.
Current:
Mitch has always lived in a way that made life better for those around him. Just being with him makes you want to be a better person, do things to the best of your ability and in general make the world a better place.
Being around Mitch during his journey with cancer sometimes makes me shake my head. I laugh to myself. I listen to his words, watch him make choices and reflect on his behavior and attitude. It is clear to me that Mitch McCabe living with cancer, not knowing what treatment or medical issues are next for him, not knowing what his future holds, still lives life more positively, more courageously, more bravely and more joyously than most people I know, including myself. Mitch McCabe never intended to become a hero, but he has. He is my hero.
On A Mission for Mitch is having a fundraiser on January 24th during the Winchester vs Tri-Village High School basketball game. We would love for all supporters of Mitch McCabe and his family to attend the fundraiser and share their support. Please give generously, your $5 or $500 donation is all very meaningful to Mitch and his family. All money collected will be used to support his treatment. Please use this page to support Mitch as well, both financially and through offering him words of encouragement.