A NOTE FROM DEVIN
Strikeout
Devin's Strikeout Challenge
I would just like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to my strike outs for cancer during my senior season. We had a great year as a team and I had a successful season as well. I hope to continue the stand against cancer throughout my career. I plan to continue playing ball next year at Florida Gulf Coast University and I hope the word will spread and this will be an even bigger event next year.
Thank you so much,
Devin Smeltzer
Thank you so much,
Devin Smeltzer
“I’m standing here today because of the treatment and care I received at St. Christopher’s as a 9-year old boy, and the support my family and I received from Katie’s Krusaders. I want to give back to kids that are in the same position that I was once in — I play for these kids, but at the same time, I truly believe that they watch over me as well.” – Devin Smeltzer
As Katie’s Krusaders, our goal is to raise our community’s, and ultimately the nation’s, awareness of the incidence of cancer in children. We want to raise funds to provide some financial as well as personal support for those children suffering with cancer, or other childhood diseases, and their families, during this most difficult time. And we do this in memory of our beloved Katie Ann Duffin, who gives witness to the struggle, the bravery, and the boundless love of these children.
Katie’s Krusaders – PO Box 252 – Doylestown, PA 18901
Tax ID: 522404758
*Photos Courtesy of Kevin Minnick
Bishop Eustace Prepatory School star pitcher Devin Smeltzer is a cancer survivor. At nine years of age, Devin was diagnosed with a rare but curable form of cancer known as rhabdomyosarcoma after an ultrasound showed a large mass at the base of his bladder and prostate. To avoid extensive surgery, Devin received chemotherapy and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. The treatment was successful and today Devin is 100% cancer free. He has worked hard to become one of the nation’s top high school pitching prospects! He will be heavily scouted this season by Major League Baseball teams and has an athletic scholarship to attend Florida Gulf Coast University.
Devin and his family received critical support from Katie’s Krusaders during his battle with cancer, and they are forever grateful for the care given by St. Christopher’s Hospital and for the help they received from Katie’s Krusaders. Devin has now turned his attention to helping other children who are facing many of the same challenges he faced as a cancer patient. This season with the support of the Bishop Eustace community, Devin struck out 99 opposing hitters to raise money in support of Katie’s Krusaders.