Stories From Main Street: New York Mets Go To Bat For One Of Their Own In N.J.
WOODLAND PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - Today, we have a story of people really stepping up the plate for someone in need.
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Shannon Ford, a 41-year-old mother of two from New Jersey, is in the fight of her life. She has stage four breast cancer that has spread to her lymph nodes and bones.
But she has good friends.
"We're all there for her," Debbie Durante said. "It's a long road. We're all going to stick together."
"She always has a smile on her face," said Danielle Huer. "She has amazing spirit."
"We are part of her extended family," Bobby Ojeda, who played on the 1986 World Series winning New York Mets, said.
"Like a little sister to most of the players," legendary relief pitcher John Franco said.
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11 members of Shannon's class at Ridgefield Park High School are putting together a November 1 fundraising dinner at the Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park.
LINK: Information About Attending The Fundraiser
"Everyone thinks just because she has medical, everything's paid. But already she's putting out a lot of money out of her pocket," Durante said.
Durante and Huer want to give to back to their friend who has always there to support everyone else.
"Anything that you can do to help a young mom with two young kids face this battle and not have to worry about anything that has to do with expenses and really focus on healing would just be wonderful," Huer said.
Now how to the Mets fit into the picture?
Ford has been part of their media relations team for 18 years.
Ojeda and Franco will joining Doc Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Al Leiter, Willie Randolph, and many others at a the special meet and greet that same night, which will also raise money.
LINK: Information About The Meet And Greet
"It is a family atmosphere... You're one of us. We're going to take care of you," Ojeda said. "The family atmosphere, I know that's a cliché and gets tossed around. You know what, in this case, it's factual."
"I'll be the first one there and the last one to leave if that's what it takes to raise money for Shannon," Franco said.
There is also an online auction, where you can bid on a hitting lesson from David Wright and pitching tips from Johan Santana and R.A. Dickey.
All of this is for a woman who is deeply loved.
Durante is in awe of what has come together.
""It all started with a smaller level and then we get bigger and, before you know it, it just got huge," she said.
