First-year Chicago Fire defender Lovel Palmer tallied his first goal for the club in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Toronto FC. While an initial strike will always feel good, Palmer had a few other reasons the goal was special for him.
“It was a good feeling especially knowing it’s a set play that we’ve done in practice and to see it play out in the game shows that practice does become perfect,” he told Chicago-Fire.com on Tuesday.
The goal was the fourth of Palmer's MLS career and the Jamaican right back known more for his shots from distance notably pointed out it was the first he’d ever scored with his head.
Beyond the personal honor of scoring, Palmer said post-game Saturday that it was more special to have scored during the month of September as MLS recognizes Childhood Cancer Awareness month by having players and staff wear yellow wristbands, scarves and warm-up t-shirts.
The cause is one that’s close to Palmer’s heart after meeting young cancer survivor Griffin Shaw during his time with Real Salt Lake last season.
“This sounds dumb but growing up I didn’t know or realize kids get cancer. I went to Salt Lake last year and I met Travis Shaw. His son Griffin Shaw was diagnosed with cancer at 15 months.”
Specifically Griffin was diagnosed with Ryabdomyosarcoma, a cancerous malignant tumor of the muscles that are attached to the bones. Diagnosed in April 2012, Griffin was declared to be in remission the following February
He unfortunately relapsed in August 2013 and YouTube videos made his family documented Griffin’s fight and raised Palmer’s awareness.
“I saw the videos of him and the struggles he’d been through and got attached,” Palmer said.
Palmer made it a point to visit Griffin once a week during his stay in Salt Lake City. His visits to see Griffin were even documented in one of the videos, played to Katy Perry’s “Roar”.
The time Palmer spent with Griffin and his family were above and beyond anything they could have asked.
“Lovel saw him at some of his most difficult times,” said Travis Shaw. “In October 2013 Griffin went in for a major surgery where they took out half of his bladder and the tumor and that was a pretty painful time. Lovel was up there shortly after he had surgery to show his support for Griffin and our family.
“Those are the times that people don’t really see. A lot of times people see the bald heads and the smiling kids and that’s not what children’s cancer is unfortunately.”
Though traded to Chicago last December, Palmer has stayed in close contact with the Shaw family ever since. He received good news in March when Griffin went into remission again. Further scans last month also showed that the cancer has stayed away.
After scoring his 11th minute header on Saturday, Palmer joyfully ran towards the nearest camera, removed the yellow wristband he’d been wearing and kissed it twice before celebrating with his teammates.
Palmer said the move was in dedication to Griffin “and all kids who have to battle cancer during childhood.”
“To dedicate that and bring awareness, I was ecstatic, grateful and it just shows what kind of guy Lovel is,” Shaw said. “He has a huge heart. What comes first to him is the kind of person he is, that he cares about people and wants to make a positive impact. He’s not afraid to go out of his way to make someone smile or bring awareness to a cause.”
“It’s something I attach myself to and I really want to help raise awareness for these kids because they can’t speak for themselves," Palmer said. The parents can’t even speak to raise awareness because they’re too busy taking care of their kids. I just want to be a voice for them.”
Shaw said for the first time in a while, he and his family have been able to lead a more normal life after spending so much of the last few years in hospitals.
“Griffin is cancer free and we’re hoping it stays that way,” Palmer said.
For more information on Childhood Cancer and to donate to research, please visit www.curesearch.org.
