Game Changer
By TJ Underhill
Five years ago I lost a very important person in my life – Kory Hunter. Though I was only eight years old when he passed away, he had a very big impact on my life.
You see, Kory was a really happy guy who was always ready to have fun, always smiling and laughing. He was like a big kid. More than just fun, Kory was a great friend. He was always interested in others and how they were doing. He was very supportive of me in my sports, always encouraging me to work hard and get better. I remember looking up to him. He was a big strong guy and always ready to play.
When Kory got sick, he fought so hard. I remember him trying to learn how to walk again with my mom and dad. Even on his hardest days, Kory gave it his all and always had a smile on his face. Kory faced his cancer head on and never gave up. Unfortunately, he lost his battle with cancer, and we lost him.
After Kory passed away, I really missed him and how he encouraged me. So I asked my mom if she could iron on his image from one of our fundraisers to the inside of my team jersey. No one else could see it, but I could feel it there, and I could think of him while I played. For the past five years, in every jersey, for every team I have played on, Kory’s image is there right over my heart. In really tough games I think of Kory and how hard he worked to try to beat cancer, and I dig a little deeper. I know I may not change the outcome of the game, but I will know I gave it my all – just like Kory did.
After an almost two year battle with cancer, we lost Kory — that’s why we are here. With our hard work to raise money to help research for cancer, I believe we can change the game and win the fight against cancer.
I ride because I don’t want us to lose any more great guys like Kory Hunter.
I ride for Kory, and together we can all be Game Changers!