A Day That Should Have Been

Last June, Tim Bays eagerly anticipated his upcoming senior year of high school and graduation in May 2010. Tim dreamed of playing football at Rochester Tech College, playing the guitar with his band, along with so many other life aspirations.  A few weeks ago, Tim’s graduation took place without him.  This past March cancer took his life at the young age of 17.

A normal high school boy who loved football, Tim’s life completely changed when he was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma on March 15, 2008.  Burkitt’s is a rare cancer with approximately 400 cases in the United States, it is best known for causing tumors to double in size in only 24 hours.  Two months after beginning treatment, Tim was given the all clear in June, but it was short lived—he relapsed in August.  In November, he received a stem cell transplant offering a brief remission before his final relapse in January 2009. Tim lost his battle three months later.

Even as he continued to fight cancer, Tim refused to let it define him.  While speaking at a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald in Rochester, N.Y., Tim didn’t let cancer have the spotlight.  Instead, recalls his mom, Janet, “he had the men in black ties giving each other high-fives when he shared his favorite part about his stays there—the girls!”  This was the same spirit that carried him through his battle with Burkitt’s.  He was an accomplished musician and singer, an avid outdoorsman—harvesting a seven-point buck during one hunt—and although he would not walk with his class, he worked hard to complete his classes a year early so he could share the accomplishment with his family and friends. 

Last month, Tim’s classmates at Lake Holcombe High School in Wisconsin celebrated their graduation without Tim and another classmate, Wendy, who also passed.  The students have been a constant source of support for Tim and his family and have never forgotten him and the incredible young man that he was.  Tim’s family was present at the graduation where the students had fought hard to make sure Tim and Wendy were recognized.  In the end, there were two empty chairs on the stage, surrounded by the rest of the class.  The first two speakers of the ceremony even mentioned Tim and Wendy, talking about their lasting impact on their fellow classmates.

Wanting to honor his memory, Tim’s parents established a scholarship in his memory at Lake Holcombe During the graduation ceremony Tim’s aunt, Jessie, presented the award to Tim’s friend and football teammate, Travis Marshal.  The ‘Tim Bay’s Memorial Scholarship Fund’ has enough award scholarships for the next three years.  “It was a difficult event, Jessie had a tough time” Janet said, “But I know Tim was around for the full day. I know he’s proud.”  No doubt he is.

Tim is only one of the many kids, including 2010 Child Ambassador Averi, who would have graduated from high school this year but cancer took their life too soon. While the St. Baldrick’s community celebrates those children who will graduate this year; we also mourn the loss of those who will not. 

Caption:Left: Tim and his beloved guitar.  Right: Travis receiving the first “Tim Bays Memorial Scholarship” from Tim's aunt, Jessie.