McKinney ballplayer uses sport to strike back at cancer

Strikes Against Cancer to draw more than 200 youth baseball teams to McKinney in May for a 3-day ball tournament

baseballboy — Geordon Cox in action. Photo: Destination McKinney, McKinney CVB.

Twelve-year-old Geordon Cox is no stranger to cancer. His mom Lisa, diagnosed with cancer in 2009, is still fighting endometrial and cervical cancer. Three other family members are fighting the disease, too, while two others (a grandmother and aunt) already lost their battles in recent years.

For most kids, dealing with such sadness might be seemingly impossible to overcome. But Geordon decided to make a difference – to use his love for a sport he’s been playing since he was 4 years old to raise money to fight this deadly disease.

Geordon and his dad Adam share a love for baseball, and mom Lisa loves to watch her son pitch, so father and son came up with the idea to take pledges from friends and family for every strike Geordon threw in his 2011 season. They would then donate the money to cancer research and awareness; Geordon had found a way to help his mom in her cancer battle. His coach and team got wind of this challenge and wanted to help, so they collectively decided to turn this fundraising idea into a full-fledged fundraising effort, Strikes Against Cancer.

As stated on the organization’s website, Strikes Against Cancer is fighting cancer one strike at a time. Visitors to the site can make donations, leave memorials for those they’ve lost and pay tribute to survivors. The organization also has specially-designed apparel available from their site. And perhaps their largest fundraising effort, a youth baseball tournament, will bring hundreds of young ball players to McKinney for the second year in a row this spring.

The first Strikes Against Cancer tournament took place in 2011, bringing almost 200 teams to McKinney. The 2012 tournament, set for May 4-6, will bring an estimated 240 teams to the city’s ballfields. In October 2011, as a show of support for Geordon’s cause, McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller issued a proclamation that the first weekend in May each year be deemed “Strikes Against Cancer” Weekend in McKinney.

Between ball seasons, Geordon trains with local coaches including ex-Major League pitcher Ross Powell and the staff at Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Johnson’s Performance Center in McKinney, who contribute their time and talents to encourage the McKinney boy and help him hone his skills.

His mom’s fight against cancer keeps Geordon inspired and strengthens his dedication to his cause, telling his coaches, “Mom’s cancer doesn’t take a day off.”

Geordon takes the mound for his team in the Strikes Against Cancer Tournament May 5, 10 a.m., at The Ballfields at Craig Ranch in McKinney.

Community Support for Geordon and his organization:

The following McKinney and Collin County organizations are partnering with Geordon through financial, in-kind, promotional and other forms of support for Strikes Against Cancer and Geordon’s efforts.

American Cancer Society
Michael Johnson Training Center
The Frisco RoughRiders
Faith Christian Academy in McKinney, Texas
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
City of McKinney (Mayor of McKinney, Brain Loughmiller, and the City Council) – proclamation of the First Weekend of every May as “Strikes Against Cancer Weekend.”
McKinney Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department
McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau
Triple Creek Academy
McKinney Chamber of Commerce
Buffalo Wild Wings McKinney #207
Collin County Baseball Umpires Association
Mickey Mantle World Series
McKinney Regional Cancer Center and Dr. Birenbaum
The Following North Texas Baseball Organizations; McKinney Marshals, McKinney Mongrels, Frozen Ropes, McKinney Mavericks, Dallas Patriots and TCA Twins.
McKinney Little League
McKinney Baseball Association
North Texas Baseball Alliance
Allen Image
Plano Baseball Association
Peak Performance