'You got this, Alex': How MLB's Todd Frazier and community help Jackson boy with cancer

Alex Kacmarsky has grown up playing sports, including travel soccer and Little League baseball. He’s also a black belt in karate.

That all got put on hold two months ago, when the 11-year-old from Jackson was diagnosed with stage four cancer. On Nov. 3, however, Alex returned to the field — and a thousand supporters joined him.

A fundraiser game played by Holbrook Little Leaguers raised thousands of dollars for Alex and his family he undergoes chemotherapy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. As importantly: It provided moral support, which is so vital to anyone facing this kind of challenge.

The first pitch was thrown out by Jackson’s very own Santa Claus — “Santa Jim” Mitchell, who has been a ubiquitous do-gooder in the area over the past decade. And two-time Major League Baseball All-Star Todd Frazier dropped by to sign autographs for the cause and give Alex a pep talk.

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“I couldn’t believe this was happening for my kid,” said Jennifer Kacmarsky, Alex’s mom. “I just am floored by the support.”

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'The community rolled up their sleeves'

Alex’s diagnosis came almost by accident. In September, he fell hard on his left hip while playing soccer. The swelling and pain that persisted prompted a trip to the doctor. The cause was rhabdomyosarcoma, a childhood cancer of the soft tissue.

In Alex’s case, it started in the hip muscle and spread to the lymph nodes. A sixth-grader at Christa McAuliffe Middle School in Jackson, he is learning remotely for now to protect his immune system while he undergoes chemotherapy.

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The Kacmarsky family has lived in Jackson since 2006. Immediately this fall, friends and neighbors mobilized to help, with “You Got This, Alex” as a rallying cry. Carlos and Christine Ricardo, whose son Jake is good friends with Alex, organized a photo-shoot fundraiser last month. Then came the baseball game.

“The ballgame was arranged inside of two weeks,” Carlos Ricardo said. “That shows you how fast the community rolled up their sleeves.”

Ricardo is no stranger to good causes. He runs a charitable initiative, “The Helping Hands of Adolescents,” that empowers kids to help locals in need. He emailed Holbrook Little League administrators about setting up a game for Alex, “and 15 minutes later we had a date,” he said. iPlay America in Freehold Township lent equipment and Farro’s Tees, which has locations in Toms River and Brick, produced “You Got This, Alex” T-shirts.

And not only did Santa Jim appear — he brought his sleigh and a cartwheeling elf. No stranger to going to bat for kids this time of year, Mitchell instead stepped onto the mound. As he took the hill for the ceremonial first pitch, he removed his red robe and revealed a custom-made, red-pinstriped baseball uniform complete with a cap bearing the letters “SC” — for Santa Claus of course.

Did he throw that pitch over the plate?

“I did, man,” he did with a jolly old chuckle.

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Todd Frazier: 'Alex is a hero'

Santa Jim arranged another surprise: The appearance of Frazier, the Toms River legend who starred on the diamond at Rutgers and later played for the Yankees and Mets, among other Major League Baseball clubs.

In addition to signing autographs for the fundraiser, Frazier signed a baseball bat for the Kacmarsky family and encouraged Alex to stay strong.

“You make all of us so proud,” the ex-big leaguer told the young man.

“What a nice guy he is,” Jennifer Kacmarsky said.

Frazier has seen some huge crowds in his day, but he was impressed by the turnout of about a thousand people on such short notice.

“The support was unbelievable,” he told the Asbury Park Press. “For all the people in the surrounding community to come out here and support such an awesome human being was outstanding. Alex is a hero not only to his family but to thousands of others now.”

Between the photo shoot and the baseball game, $23,000 was raised for Alex and his family. Another fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 3 — a “Winter Wonderland” event and photo opportunity with Santa at Cassville Volunteer Fire Company on Miller Avenue in Jackson. It will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include a gift auction, music by a children’s choir, hot food and themed beverages. “You Got This, Alex” apparel will be available. Donations will be taken at the door.

No one should have to endure childhood cancer, but Jennifer Kacmarsky remains amazed by what people did for Alex.

“I am waiting to wake up and say, ‘Did this really happen?’” she said. “The support we’ve had, it’s mind-blowing.”

For more information on the Dec. 3 Winter Wonderland fundraiser for Alex Kacmarsky, or to be a sponsor, email Carlos Ricardo at cme3669@gmail.com.

For information on Santa Jim’s annual Christmas-week charity visits, and how to help, visit www.facebook.com/jacksons.santajim starting on Thanksgiving.

Jerry Carino is community columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shore’s interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: MLB's Todd Frazier helps support young Jackson athlete fighting cancer