He was a standout high school baseball player at Desert Ridge High School, and had a successful college stint at South Mountain Community College.
Then, he had the thrill of being drafted by a Major League ball club just last month.
But now, East Valley 20-year-old Taylor Kaczmarek battling arguably the toughest opponent he’s ever faced: leukemia.
With insurance care costs rising for the 2010 Gatorade Arizona high school baseball player of the year, a benefit is scheduled from noon to closing Sunday at Cadillac Ranch at Tempe Marketplace to assist in covering Kaczmarek’s treatment costs.
According to a press release for the event, because Kaczmarek's treatment is classified as "experimental," insurance will not cover their cost.
Donations will be accepted, door prizes will be given, silent auction items will be available for bid, and live music and events will allow guests to "celebrate Taylor and encourage him in his fight."
Major League Baseball players and Arizona Rattlers cheerleaders will be on hand. Cadillac Ranch is located at 2000 E. Rio Salado, in Tempe.
Kaczmarek first went to see his doctor when he noticed his lymph nodes were swollen. After antibiotics proved ineffective, further tests allowed doctors do diagnose him with leukemia.
