Reading Child Battling Leukemia/Lymphoma Throws First Pitch at Sox Game Thursday

Reading resident Jake Backer will be 11 on Friday, and during his last day as a 10-year-old he will throw out the first pitch at the Red Sox game.

Jake was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma in November of 2011. His mom, Genie Backer, remembers the day clearly.

"He had what looked to be a swollen gland on his neck," she said. 

She took Jake to the doctor's office where he had x-rays taken. One x-ray showed a large mass in Jake's chest, and he was sent to Children's Hospital for further testing.

"That night he was diagnosed with Lymphoma, which was a result of the mass," she said.

Jake was treated at Children's Hospital for two months and is now in remission. He receives outpatient treatment at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, which is part of Dana Farber. The outpatient treatment will last until December of 2013.

"He should not have any long term effects," Genie Backer said. "There's always a possibility, but he shouldn't have any long term effects."

She also mentioned that the follow up is "lifelong."

The opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a Red Sox game was donated to the Jimmy Fund by the MBTA, and Jake was chosen for the job. On Thursday night, he will throw out the first pitch at Fenway.

Jake has two siblings, and will attend in the fall. Also in the fall, Jake will participate in the Jimmy Fund Walk as a Jimmy Fund Walk Hero.

Jake and his family are working together to raise funds for the walk. Click here if you would like to make a donation.