3-year-old’s cancer diagnosis brings rivals together
Published 3:53 pm Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Show of support: Football players, coaches and cheerleaders from Maplesville and rival Billingsley showed their support for the 3-year-old son of MHS vice-principal Ashlie Harrison, who has been diagnosed with lymphoma. (Photo by Brandon Sumrall)
By Brandon Sumrall | Special to the Advertiser
Football rivalries have been known to divide homes and communities, but for the staff and students of Maplesville and Billingsley high schools, all the tension of a once bitter rivalry was set aside to come together in support for one young member of the Red Devil family.
When news of 3-year-old Caleb Harrison’s diagnosis with acute lymphoblastic lymphoma made its way to the halls of Maplesville High School last week, the heartbreak and outpouring of support began to burst at the seams of the school at which his mother, Ashlie Harrison, is vice principal.
Team Caleb: Caleb Harrison’s family includes parents Ashlie and Josh, and sisters Mallie and Makenzie. (Contributed photo)
The news spread through staff, students, friends and loved ones and turned what was once a heated rivalry into an opportunity for both schools to show there are some things more important than a football game.
Doors at Maplesville High School that would typically be adorned in red and white along with hopes of beating this week’s opponent were changed this week to read “Prayers for Caleb” and “Team Caleb.”
The prayers and support didn’t stop there, however, and quickly spread to area rival Billingsley, where signs started being produced and “Team Caleb” started appearing on students cars.
Prior to kickoff at the game between the Red Devils and Bears on Aug. 28, each side’s cheerleaders, football players, coaches and various staff met at the 50-yard line for a special prayer time and to show their support for this family.
For Caleb Harrison and parents Josh and Ashlie, the support has been nothing short of amazing.
“We would like to thank everyone for their continued support of our entire family,” Ashlie Harrison said. “Words cannot express how grateful we are to see everyone coming together to support our little fighter.”
What started as a bad stomach ache and depleted levels of energy later progressed to loss of color in his appearance and resulted in a trip to a pediatrician, where it was discovered that Caleb Harrison’s blood counts had dropped to a dangerous levels.
Harrison was immediately sent to Children’s of Alabama, where he was admitted and underwent multiple blood transfusions and a bone marrow biopsy.
Door decorations: Classrooms doors at Maplesville that would usually be decorated for game day instead bore messages of support for Caleb Harrison. (Contributed photos)
On Aug. 11, the diagnosis was handed down and the long road to recovery began. Multiple chemotherapy treatments and bone marrow biopsies await Harrison, but for this family and the thousands of supporters, there is little doubt as to the outcome of this battle.
“I cannot even begin to express my gratitude toward my church family at West End Baptist Church and Maplesville High School faculty, staff, students and parents,” Ashlie Harrison said. “We are also grateful for everyone at Billingsley High School for putting all differences aside for a great cause. From the sign that the cheerleaders made, to the calls, text, prayers, and cards from our family and friends at Billingsley, we are truly grateful. God is bigger than cancer, and Caleb will win this battle!”
A one-pitch softball tournament will be held on Sept. 25 beginning at 10 p.m. with all proceeds going to the cost of treatments for Harrison.
The tournament will be played at the baseball complex in Clanton and will include both men’s and women’s brackets. Registration is set at $200 per team.
Any team or individual interested in participating should contact Aimee Ezekiel at zeke082005@gmail.com or Jill Jackson at kristin.jackson@alacourt.gov.
