Harper among those to Stand Up To Cancer
Citi Field crowd takes moment to think of those affected by cancer
NEW YORK -- Before he stood in the batter's box for the National League Home Run Derby squad, Bryce Harper stood up for Gavin Rupp.
Midway through the second round of Monday night's Chevrolet Home Run Derby, Citi Field paused to "Stand Up To Cancer," with everyone in attendance holding up a placard with the name of someone they know who has been affected by cancer. That included the sluggers taking part in the Derby.
Harper, who was slated to hit next, held up a card for Rupp, a 13-year-old boy from Ashburn, Va., who got a chance to meet Harper at Nationals Park earlier this month.
Rupp was diagnosed with brain cancer and had a malignant tumor removed from his brain in February 2011, only to have the cancer return two more times. In late April, Gavin's father, Chris, was told that his son had a 10 percent chance to live.
Major League Baseball has supported Stand Up To Cancer, an initiative to accelerate innovative cancer research, since 2008 as a founding sponsor. The campaign has received $262 million in funds pledged since its inception in 2008.