SJC softball team dedicate Fall season to friend with cancer

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 22, 2009) The San Jacinto College (SJC) softball team is trading in their blue and white jerseys for pink Team Gabby T-shirts this Fall in honor of Gabby Romero, their friend who is battling cancer.

Romero, 17, was diagnosed with late stage renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) in June 2008. After enduring surgery, experimental drugs and chemotherapy for more than a year, Romero is now in hospice care. Family and friends are by her side, including best friend Nicole Andrade, who met Romero when the two played softball together at Dobie High School. Up until her diagnosis, Romero was a vivacious teenager who kept a busy schedule as a member of both the school’s softball and volleyball teams.

“We grew a bond really fast,” Andrade said, who now plays for the San Jacinto College softball team. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand why this is happening, but I know that I’m very lucky to have her in my life. I know people always say their parents are their heroes, but Gabby is mine.”

Through Andrade, the SJC softball team and Head Coach Kelly Saenz were recently introduced to Romero during a weekly home church service. After noticing many of her supporters wearing T-shirts in bright pink, Romero's favorite color, the team decided to hang up their jerseys and join Team Gabby.

“We’re a community college that’s here to help the community, and Gabby is a part of it,” Saenz said. “She’s a fellow softball player, and we consider her a part of our team.”

Playing the sport that brought them together is proving to be difficult, Andrade admits. However, she visits Romero’s home almost daily and receives some sound advice from her pal.

“She enjoys talking to me about my future,” Andrade said. “She encourages me to further my education, make my life a good one, and to keep playing softball. Gabby sends a message through her battle with cancer, and that is to live life to its fullest.”