The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute held its first All Cancer Game, part of Strike Out Cancer Weekend, on Friday, May 23, 2025, at Comerica Park in collaboration with McLaren Health Care and the Detroit Tigers. The current leading team in the American League played its division rival, the Cleveland Guardians, during an evening commemorated as the All Cancer Game, where thousands gathered to support the fight against cancer.
Cancer survivors who were patients at various Karmanos locations throughout the Karmanos Cancer Network were nominated by care staff to be included in pre-game and in-game activities. These strong individuals battled and successfully defeated cancers such as bladder, follicular lymphoma, head and neck, kidney, leukemia, multiple myeloma, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, stomach cancers, and more.
From the Field Report
Edward Smith, a 13-year survivor of follicular lymphoma, kicked off the afternoon with an interview broadcast on WXYT 97.1 FM’s The Ticket. He became concerned when his lymph nodes were severely swollen underneath his jaw. After being misdiagnosed and undergoing surgery that found cancer wrapped around his blood vessels, his hematologist suggested he find a great cancer doctor. It was then that Smith began seeing Jay Yang, M.D., hematologist, medical oncologist and leader of the Hematology Oncology Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) at Karmanos Cancer Institute. Dr. Yang practices at Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit.
“It’s special to be here with the Tigers doing as well as they are. I’m a big Detroit sports fan, but I’m glad to also shine a light on the work that Karmanos does,” said Smith.
“Part of the reason that I chose Karmanos is the number of doctors they have, and the fact that they exclusively work on cancer. If there were any peculiarities about my disease, they most likely have seen it before. I want someone who has a lot of experience.”
Listen to Smith’s full interview below.
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Batting Practice
Upon most survivors’ arrival at Comerica Park, there was the opportunity to watch batting practice on the field. During this time, survivors were able to share their stories with others, take pictures, watch the two sensational teams warm up, and even speak with a few players, including Detroit Tigers infielder and first baseman, Spencer Torkelson.
FanDuel Sports Network Interview
Amid on-field activities was a FanDuel Sports Network interview hosted by Daniella Bruce. Interviewees included Boris Pasche, M.D., Ph.D., FACP, president and CEO of Karmanos Cancer Institute, Sara Rusesky, a six-year ovarian cancer survivor, and Alvin Strane, a 30-year prostate cancer survivor. Joining Rusesky for the interview was her seven-week-old daughter. This segment beautifully highlighted two unique stories while emphasizing the importance of cancer research and survivorship.
The Karmanos Starting 9
When crowds began pouring in, nine survivors were presented as the starting lineup in their white custom Tigers jerseys.
- Carla Bland: 14-year kidney cancer, 13-year bladder cancer and a half-year mouth cancer survivor – Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit
- Neal Hamel: 5-year head and neck cancer survivor – Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit
- Ronald Stewart: seven-year multiple myeloma survivor – Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit and Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Clarkston
- Kenneth Swaneck: 30-year Hodgkin disease, 12-year prostate cancer and three-year tongue cancer survivor – Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit
- Robert Brooks: six-year multiple myeloma survivor – Karmanos Cancer Institute at the Weisberg Cancer Center in Farmington Hills
- Kevin Ford: 21-year stomach cancer and two-year prostate cancer survivor – Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit
- Edgar Cooper: two-year lung cancer survivor – Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit
- Gary Lewis: eight-month prostate cancer survivor – Karmanos Cancer Institute at The Toledo Clinic Cancer Center in Maumee, Ohio
- Felicia Robinson: seven-year ovarian cancer survivor – Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit
Bland, a kidney, bladder and mouth cancer survivor and member of the Karmanos Starting 9, spoke highly of her experience receiving care from Steven Lucas, M.D., urologic oncologist and member of the Genitourinary Oncology MDT at Karmanos.
“While I was in the office crying about my biopsy and that I might have had cancer again, he walked back in the room and said, ‘I just nominated you for Strike Out Cancer Weekend to go to the Tigers game. Would you like to go?’ I said ‘Yes, I would!’ I was crying. It meant everything to me to be at that game. It meant the world to me that I’ve been through all of this, and I’m being recognized as a survivor. It was amazing,” Bland said.
Ceremonial First Pitch and Game Ball Delivery
James Radeback, a six-month pancreatic cancer survivor who was treated at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint, threw the first pitch of the night.
The game ball was then delivered by Douglas O’Neal, a one-year prostate cancer survivor. O’Neal was nominated by Kevin Ginsburg, M.D., MS, urologic oncologist and member of the Genitourinary Oncology MDT at Karmanos in Detroit.
“It was a blessing to be out on the field and talking to the other survivors. Being next to them was so admirable. We continue fighting and living because that’s all you have left. You have to fight. You can’t give up on life. No matter what comes your way, you must stand up to it, and that’s what I've done,” O’Neal remarked.
Because of his journey with prostate cancer, O’Neal routinely encourages men in his church to have strength and attend annual screenings and physicals.
“You have to be proactive. I never thought this would happen to me until it happened,” he said.
National Anthem and Bell Ringing
The national anthem was delivered by twin brothers Brian and Bruce Ake. Being a prostate cancer survivor of 6 years, Brian returns each year with his brother by his side to celebrate life, and to continue recognizing the work of Karmanos health care professionals, like Matthew Johnson, M.D., radiation oncologist at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Port Huron, who was with him every step of the way through his treatment.
Following the conclusion of the anthem, Kenneth Marelich, a five-month prostate cancer survivor who received his care at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant, rang the symbolic bell and yelled “Play Ball” to start the game.” It is often tradition for cancer survivors to ring the bell when they finish cancer treatments. It was a moment of reflection and hope, but also a tremendous tribute to all of those battling the illness.
In-Game Highlights
Fans cheered for those in the ceremonial events, in addition to their loved ones' names written on signs in their honor. Throughout the entirety of the thrilling game, many survivors took part in activities during the game alongside the Tigers’ in park host, Kara Wolfbauer.
Participants included:
- Cathy Goulette: one-year lymphoma survivor – Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit
- James Thomas, Jr.: one-year acute myeloid leukemia survivor – Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit
- Seth Hicks: one-year Hodgkin lymphoma survivor – Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Clarkston
- Jeff Levinson: 19-year plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma survivor – Karmanos Cancer Institute at the Weisberg Cancer Center in Farmington Hills
“Being recognized as a survivor is a wonderful tribute to each of us. The more survivors people see, the more hope it can bring to others. It’s a moment to demonstrate, ‘We’re here! We’re living!’ And I am certainly living my best life ever,” shared Levinson. Continuously grateful for the care he received at Karmanos under Jeffrey Zonder, M.D., hematologist and leader of the Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis MDT, he gives back through his weekly community service.
The All Cancer Game for Strike Out Cancer Weekend was not a typical baseball game, but rather a moment of community, strength and survival. From heartwarming acknowledgments to touching stories, the event lifted spirits in great numbers and reminded all who were present that no one faces cancer alone.
For more information on the cancers that Karmanos experts treat, for a second opinion and information on cancer screenings, genetic testing, treatment options and clinical trials, visit karmanos.org, or call 1-800-KARMANOS.