Ashland Barracudas and Kevin Trent are Heroes!
The Ashland Barracudas is a swim club that shows the spirit of honoring and being a hero. They have become a part of the Connors Heroes HERO FAMILY through their experience with Jamie Hess. Jamie was diagnosed with Leukemia in March of 2001. He was 9 years old and overflowing with a love of sports. Due to his treatment, he was no longer able to participate in contact sports so he enthusiastically asked about swimming. He was told he could swim but not dive into the pool. His swim coach, Kevin Trent, immediately reassured Jamie that he could make swimming on the team and in meets a reality for him. Jamie told him that he didn’t want to be treated any differently. He said he wasn’t sick, he just had cancer. Throughout the swim season, Jamie swam and was treated just like the Jamie the team had grown up with!! The team stepped up to the plate in other ways during this year also. They hosted a Silent Auction in Jamie’s honor to assist with medical expenses. While Jamie was in the hospital they provided meals for the family 1-2 nights a week for 3 months. They supported with kind words, support for Jamie’s sisters and lots of prayers too. Their support continues even after Jamie transitioned through death in Feb. of 2002. Each year the Barracudas host a swim marathon on or close to June 23, Jamie’s birthday. This has become a day of celebration about the spirit, strength and courage shown through Jamie’s cancer journey. They have raised over $20,000 that goes to the Jamie Hess pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant research fund (this fund is supported through Connor’s Heroes). Money raised has also provided Tread Mills and recliner chairs for the Bone Marrow Unit. Each year the club also gives a Jamie Hess Sportsmanship Award to a girl and boy swimmer who shows the same determination and good will that the club honors in memory of Jamie’s example.
The Ashland Barracudas are heroes. They show how we can ease the burden of childhood cancer one lap at a time, one act of kindness at a time, and one memory at a time. Kevin Trent, the coach, exemplifies the ability to assist a child in not seeing the obstacle but the path to overcome the obstacle. This year will be the team's 6th annual swim marathon. Go ASHLAND BARRACUDAS and THANKS for being part of our HERO FAMILY.
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