James Webb

Twelve-year-old James was baseball player like his big brother, John, and his father, John Sr. Spring meant baseball and James was excited to be playing in the Bill Bond League where his team was winning! James was also a drummer just like his older brother and next year he would be moving up to the top band at Bailey Middle School. Life was good! In the middle of all these great activities, he noticed that his throat was sore. Giving it wide-open look in the mirror one morning – it looked different. His mother was a nurse so he told her about it. And that is when life changed.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare form of cancer that most often occurs in skeletal muscle. In James' case, it was in his throat. Dr. Thomas Jenkins and the staff of Nemour's and Sacred Heart Children's Hospital brought us, our whole family, and walked us through those first weeks that were overwhelmingly emotional. They walked with us for the next 52 weeks as James survived weekly chemotherapy, two weeks of radiation therapy, blood transfusions, fever scares, and the roller coaster journey that is fighting a life-threatening illness.

There are many 'moments' that could be told but let it just be succinctly said that Dr. Jenkins and the nursing staff at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital while taking care of James' physical body also recognized and supported James' spiritual health as he did have a crisis of faith on this journey. When the first year was completed, James grew in physical and spiritual strength which he would need as he went on with his life.

At age 17, James was at Tate High School, a snare player, negotiating the purchase of a car and all the parent-teen discussions that go with that! Cancer returned with a vengeance. This time there was no treatment to realistically consider but remember the foundation of physical and spiritual strength had been laid. James had resources to pull up and was able to live his life, praying for a miracle, while facing that God may have another plan.

Through The James Webb Foundation, James lives on to give to the Child Life Program at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. Plasma TV, VCR/DVD players, Wii system and games, movies, games, craft items, anything that brings a smile and lifts the spirit – that is what James wanted to bring to children battling life-threatening illnesses and injuries. His brother, John Webb, former professional baseball player, and sister, Janet Webb Lister, are the keepers of that legacy. For more information, go to www.johnwebbgolf.com