A Grand Chute cancer survivor will be honored this weekend by players and fans at the Timber Rattlers game.
Jill Garrison provides a home away from home for team members during the season.
According to the team president, Garrison is like a mother to players, even through a battle with cancer.
"So the fact that's she's overcome cancer and has beat it, and is now out here, we get to honor her," said Timber Rattlers President Rob Zerjav. “It's the least we can do.”
She will be honored this weekend as a cancer survivor on the field.
"Every time they would do it out there, I'm like 'yeah, go, go wouldn't that be great if I got to do that someday,” said Jill Garrison. “My day is coming, so now I’m nervous."
Zerjav said this event honors cancer survivors and pays them respect for fighting.
“The fact that they have fought through this and beaten cancer, I think it's just a great way to get the word out,” said Zerjav. “It's a great way to honor Jill that night."
Fox Valley Hematology & Oncology is sponsoring the night. A nurse who cared for Jill nominated her. The nurse said Jill stood out amongst other patients.
"It’s just her zest for life and being very positive even when she was given the diagnosis that she was given,” said Amy Hein .
Jill hosted more than 30 players over the past 11 years and invited them to live at her home during their season, even through chemotherapy treatments.
When she was diagnosed in July of 2011, she didn't think the player living with her at the time would want to stay, but he did.
"For me, I didn't feel like that was an option, because we were close right away,” said former Timber Rattlers player Tj Mittelstaedt. “So I didn't want to leave them by themselves in that situation."
Garrison said she thinks she cried at the time.
"It was amazing, to know that for knowing this kid who had only been there since April,” she said. “You had him three months. He's willing to do that. It’s amazing."
Now the team will show her support
Jill will run the bases and be honored by both teams this Saturday.
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