I’ve been a Chicago Cub fan my whole life. I was raised on Chicago’s North Shore and hail from a long line of Cubs fans. I believe I’ve actually been a Cub fan since before I was even born. As a Cub fan, I’ve experienced many highs and lows over the years, though as any Cub fan will tell you, there have been far more lows than highs.
In case you haven’t heard, this year the Cubs have played extremely well—in fact, they have the best record in baseball and just won the National League Championship. They’re playing in the World Series for the first time since 1945—that’s 71 years! My wife and children are also devoted Cub fans, and we’ve enjoyed watching many games together this year and dreaming about them winning the World Series for the first time in 108 years—since 1908!
About 2 months ago I met with a new patient named Charlie. Charlie is also a devoted Cub fan. In fact, he and his lovely wife Monica first met at Wrigley Field during the All-Star Game in 1990. After getting to know Charlie, my desire to see the Cubs keep winning and make it into the playoffs and beyond suddenly carried much more significance. I turned out that Charlie’s life was actually depending on it.
You see, Charlie has ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, which is a terminal illness that has robbed him of his ability to function independently and is turning his life into a living hell. He was a very accomplished and fun-loving guy, though for the past few years he’s been struggling to find any joy or any quality in his life, and he is very aware that it will keep getting worse. He knows that at some point he will lose the ability to move, swallow, and breath.
Shortly after we met, Charlie told me how grateful he is for the new law in California that will allow him to get a prescription for a medication that will end his life in a peaceful and dignified way. He will be able to choose when to take this medication, and not be at the mercy of his devastating, terminal illness to determine his fate.
The Cubs victorious season, and his determination to see them finally win the World Series after so many years, is the one thing that is giving him a sense of purpose– a reason to stay alive a little longer.
Charlie is committed to watching the Cubs go as far as they can– hopefully all the way to becoming world champions for the first time in over a century. He is willing to tolerate his pain and struggle to see this happen—to share this experience with his wife, his family, and his friends who are also long-suffering Cub fans.
Yes, I’ve been waiting all my life to see the Cubs win the World Series. Yes, I hope for my sake, for my children’s’ sake and for the sake of Cubs fans all over the world, that this will be our year. But my desire to see the Cubs keep winning, and ultimately win the World Series, is now far greater. It’s no longer just about redemption for so many years of disappointment. It’s now a quest to see a great man live a little longer. To give Charlie a reason to live and push through his challenges for a few more days or weeks. To allow him to see his team finish their incredible season in grand style, and forever put to rest the notion that they are not good enough.
I would never want to add more pressure to the Cubs’ players and coaches. I’m sure they’re already feeling plenty. But guys, a man’s life is in the balance. Let’s keep winning, and go all the way, for Charlie.
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