Meet Briggs Berry, a 17-year-old golf nut from Granbury, Texas. He has a rare condition called X-linked hyper IgM, a syndrome in which a lack of certain antibodies makes fighting infections extremely difficult. But don’t feel sorry for him; be inspired by him.
Berry takes medicine daily, can’t drink from a water fountain, and has been undergoing chemotherapy to prepare for a bone marrow transplant that will take place Thursday. He hasn’t moped in his situation. Rather, he’s been more positive than you can imagine for a teenager facing a life-threatening illness.
People say chemo is bad, I am definately kicking it’s tail! It can’t make me feel bad! Playing golf and doing my normal stuff!
— Cpt. LOGANITUS (@BriggsBerry) February 16, 2014
His strength comes from his will to raise awareness for X-linked hyper IgM, his Christian faith, and the overwhelming support he’s seen from professional athletes. Berry has met NBA star Dirk Nowitzki and sat courtside at a Dallas Mavericks game with the team’s owner, Mark Cuban. He’s hung out with Texas Rangers’ pitcher Derek Holland.
He’s also met some of the biggest names in golf: Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler, Jason Dufner and Jordan Spieth. But no one has extended more support than Back9Network ambassador J.J. Henry, who played golf with Berry and his father last month at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What a inspiration to be w/ @BriggsBerry his dad @wadebowen @D2_59. Proud to call him a friend! #teambriggs pic.twitter.com/YYYWq0H707
— JJ Henry (@jjhenrygolf) January 22, 2014
Henry also took him around to meet some of his PGA pals.
@TigerWoods @jjhenrygolf got to meet the one of the greats! Really nice guy! Thanks for the picture!! pic.twitter.com/T4xrhSGcxh
— Cpt. LOGANITUS (@BriggsBerry) January 22, 2014
What a great day and great night! #TeamBriggs @BriggsBerry @JordanSpieth @WadeBowen @rrbchoir @JordanLewites pic.twitter.com/2mOezD6E8P
— JJ Henry (@jjhenrygolf) January 22, 2014
Support for Berry from pro golfers has overflowed since.
@RickieFowlerPGA thanks man! It means the world to me! Here’s out picture from Torrey! pic.twitter.com/cCJce3Ko73
— Cpt. LOGANITUS (@BriggsBerry) February 14, 2014
@JasonDufner it has been man, maybe we can get in touch somehow and I can inform you about everything that’s going on! Miss you man!
— Cpt. LOGANITUS (@BriggsBerry) February 14, 2014
@jjhenrygolf man when I’m out we are gonna be playing everywhere! Love you man!
— Cpt. LOGANITUS (@BriggsBerry) February 12, 2014
Berry’s highlights from the past two months include meeting some of Texas’ biggest names in sports:
@swish41 thanks man for all the support! Great to talk to you last night! #MFFL pic.twitter.com/5x8gajd0jD
— Cpt. LOGANITUS (@BriggsBerry) February 5, 2014
Wow. @BriggsBerry sitting court-side with @mcuban – amazing!!! How cool!! pic.twitter.com/CbrNzS8FQI
— Ben Rogers (@BenRogers) January 30, 2014
@mcuban tonight was one of the best nights of my life! Thanks so much for letting me experience this! #TeamBriggs
— Cpt. LOGANITUS (@BriggsBerry) January 30, 2014
Hanging out with @BriggsBerry just finished our game now he’s playing my buddy @ranceA11 pic.twitter.com/VMgfDEw5kg
— Derek Holland (@Dutch_Oven45) February 16, 2014
@BenRogers @DezBryant @BriggsBerry Get better soon!! are with you
— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) February 13, 2014
Ben Rogers, a sports radio host in Dallas, is largely to thanks for the support coming Berry’s way. Rogers has had Berry on his show and shared Berry’s story with countless others. If you’d like to help support Berry, see the tweet below:
To donate to @BriggsBerry Briggs Berry Benefit First National Bank Of Granbury P.O. Box 400 Granbury, TX 76048 pic.twitter.com/fAINx7bxti
— Ben Rogers (@BenRogers) February 14, 2014
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