PHOENIX — Maddox Carmean walked into Game 4 of the World Series in Phoenix with a purpose.
The 13-year-old is a two-time cancer survivor, who once spent 45 days in a coma and had two transfusions. He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia five years ago and was successfully treated at Medical City Children's Hospital in Dallas.
”He went through a lot when he was going through his diagnosis,” said Amber Carmean, his mother.
WFAA spoke with him on the field before the game.
”We were contacted by Stand Up to Cancer, and he was invited to throw out the first pitch because he is a two-time leukemia survivor,” said his mother.
Maddox and his family from North Richland Hills are avid Rangers fans. He says it was the support of his beloved Rangers during his treatments that helped him through.
Several Rangers over the last few years have visited with Maddox, including former Rangers’ shortstop, Elvis Andrus.
And now Maddox is on a National stage.
”Oh, it was great. I never expected it to happen, but it did happen, and it was amazing,” Maddox said.
Maddox confidentially walked onto the field and pitched to third base coach, Tony Beasley, also a cancer survivor.
And the teenager had a message for others who are going through cancer.
”It means that if you have cancer, you don’t immediately think it’s over. Because it’s not over, because you can be a survivor and survive too.”
It's a purpose greater than even the greatest game of his life.