Ependymoma Survivor Attends Football Workout; Hayward Family Being Celebrated at Bucknell Game
By John Painter
(Hamilton, NY – Oct. 23, 2013) Colin Hayward might be small and shy, but he wields a mighty emotional punch.
Colin was special guest of the Colgate football team here at Wednesday’s practice in advance of the Nov. 2 Uplifting Athletes Awareness Game against Bucknell. The 6-year-old Colin has survived Ependymoma, a rare type of brain cancer.
That disease just happens to be the annual cause of the local chapter of Uplifting Athletes, and Colgate football team members have raised more than $20,000 toward a cure over the last two years.
Wednesday, they met the Ithaca first-grader up close and in person.
“At age 2, Colin was diagnosed with Ependymoma and he’s been battling it ever since,” said junior tailback Jimmy DeCicco, who is spearheading the Hayward family celebration. “All the odds were stacked against this little boy, and he didn’t give up. He was told he would never walk again and never be able to talk – and he’s out here playing football with us today.”
DeCicco said this is the first time his organization proposed an awareness game.
“This hits home for us because we’ve been raising money for this disease and a lot of the guys didn’t really know what it was all about,” DeCicco said. “To be able to see Colin in person is definitely something special. All the hard work we do, this makes it worthwhile.”
Moments of Inspiration
Colin’s father, Ian, spoke to the team before practice and relayed Colin’s medical history and special moments of inspiration. He let the team know how unique it was that they were coming together for a common cause.
“Any time you take up a cause, you want to do something to be reminded of the goodness that results from coming together,” Hayward said. “That raising money can be turned into something as incredible as giving a little kid his life back, that’s special.”
The direct Colgate Uplifting Athletes cause is the CERN Foundation, which stands for Collaborative Ependymoma Research Network. That group is dedicated to researching and curing this rare form of brain cancer.
“Colin’s message to us was to never quit,” DeCicco said. “After all he’s been through, if that doesn’t tell you not to quit then I don’t know what will.”
Colin and his family – father, Ian; mother, Tamika; and 10-year-old brother, Aidan – are being honored at the Nov. 2 game against Bucknell. Kickoff is 1 p.m
“We’re hoping it’s a big turnout against Bucknell and we’re really excited Colgate has adopted this cause and adopted Colin onto the team,” Hayward said. “You have to be paced; sometimes it’s not easy.
“But always keep your eye on what is most important. In the case of Colin, it’s a cure but it’s also keeping him happy and keeping him healthy. We’re thrilled he’s here today.”
Photos by Bob Cornell