FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – A Fort Wayne teenager is proving that the love of the game can go far beyond the field.
Last year, Theodore Price underwent major surgery after being diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.
A few months later, doctors declared him cancer-free. But this spring, his battle began again after he was diagnosed again with another small chondrosarcoma tumor in the same location as the first.
Theo underwent his second successful major surgery in April 2025 and is once again cancer-free.
To keep Theo’s spirits high and raise awareness for other kids fighting serious illnesses, his family created a hashtag: #SwingsForTheo.
What started as a small show of support has grown into a national movement rooted in Theo’s deep love for baseball.
“It has been unbelievable how the support has improved his recovery,” his mother, Kasey Price, said.
From local high school and college teams to Major League Baseball, support has poured in for Theo, including from his hero, Detroit Tigers infielder and North Side graduate Zach McKinstry.
“Zach hosts a camp every year, and I went to one,” Theo said. “I handed him one of my bracelets, and we were just talking the whole time… baseball really brings people together.”
Theo and his family later traveled to Detroit to watch McKinstry and the Tigers play.
Since then, McKinstry has worn the “Swings for Theo” bracelet at every game and often gives one to a young fan in the stands.
“We started seeing him wear it at the games… that kind of support has been a really bright spot,” Theo’s family said.
What began as a small fundraiser has grown into something much bigger. Today, Swings for Theo is a symbol of hope, strength, and unity, showing that in the world of baseball, no one fights alone.
“We were already Tigers fans… but this seals the deal,” Price said.
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