Football

Community Rallies Behind Football Player Battling Cancer

After his mother beat cancer, Justin Caudill once again raising money to help one of his own players

Family, friends and teammates are rallying behind a community college football player battling cancer at a fundraiser at TGIFridays in Ontario.

The event was being held to raise money for medical expenses for first-season Chaffey College offensive lineman Ryan Kistner who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as Edwing's sarcoma.

"I don't have kids of my own, so my athletes are my children," said Justin Caudill, an equipment manager for the community college in Rancho Cucamonga whose mother is a breast cancer survivor and helped organize the event. "When one of my kids is in a battle, I'm all in."

Kistner, a bright, upbeat kid who loved being a team leader, got sick last winter and was diagnosed with cancer in March, Caudill said.

"He came into the coaches' office after winter break and I remember saying, 'something does not look right,'" Caudill said. "He was yellow, very weak-looking."

Until recently Kistner had to endure tough daily workouts on the community college team, but he now undergoes grueling chemotherapy sessions, with stretches that can last seven straight days in the hospital. His father, a high school football coach, recently took a leave of absence to take care of his son.

Despite his condition, Kistner has dropped in on a couple of team practices this summer with his dad, looking happy and positive, said Kiyoshi Harris, one of the team coaches.

"Knowing his personality, he's a strong kid," Harris said. "If anyone is up for the challenge, it's him."

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Caudill wears a red T-shirt that reads #KistnerStrong, which he has been selling to raise additional funds for the family. So far, he has sold over 120, and hopes to sell more at the fundraiser that runs through Thursday at the TGIFridays at 3351 Centre Lake Drive in Ontario.

"The team has rallied behind Ryan, and the community has rallied behind him," said Caudill. "It really shows what community can mean to someone."

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