October 2006
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Teaming up for SMA
When he steps onto the baseball field, Red Sox captain Jason Varitek becomes a hero to countless children throughout New England. But for many patients at Children's Hospital Boston, he's even more of a hero when he steps into their hospital rooms. As part of Tek's 33s, the charity he started in 2004 with his wife, Karen, Varitek visits Children's several times a year, taking pictures with patients and signing autographs. And a few lucky kids even get to go to a Sox game with tickets Varitek sets aside just for Children's patients and their families.
One such patient is William Johnson, a 7-year-old from Medfield, Mass., who is treated here for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA, which affects one in 6,000 children, causes the muscles to degenerate and means William has to use a specially designed wheelchair. Thanks to Tek's 33s, William attended the September 9 Red Sox game. Along with a group of other patients, William watched batting practice and asked the big-league catcher some questions.
William is a huge fan of the Sox—and, as it turns out, the Sox are fans of his, too. A year ago, the Johnsons' home wasn't equipped for William's wheelchair, so in stepped the Sox—and ABC's show Extreme Home Makeover, which helps build homes for families facing unique challenges. Last October, Varitek, along with Curt Schilling, Kevin Millar and Doug Mirabelli, pitched in to make the Johnsons' home completely wheelchair-accessible. Most of the players weren't able to attend the home unveiling ceremony, and William has always wanted to thank Varitek for the work he put into his house—and for the set of catcher's gear that adorns the Johnsons' living room wall.
On September 9, William finally got his chance. When Varitek saw William before the game, he said, "Hi! I remember you!" And William, beaming, presented Varitek with a hand-made, construction paper thank-you note. William says, "Mr. Varitek signed a ball and glove for me. He's a really nice guy—and he's tall."
Varitek is a big supporter of Children's. On September 7, he hosted the Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt, a miniature golf tournament that raises money for charities. As a result of the tournament, the Children's Hospital Trust will get a check for $25,000.
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