Latest news with #BradyCullen
NBC News
21-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC News
Good News: High school baseball player celebrates end of radiation therapy
Massachusetts high school baseball player Brady Cullen celebrated the end of his radiation treatment by ringing the bell and was cheered by family and friends from his baseball team. NBC News' Jose Diaz-Balart has this inspiring story and more in this week's Good News 21, 2025
CBS News
17-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
North Reading baseball wins state championship after teammate finishes brain tumor treatment
We first met Brady Cullen two weeks ago when he rang the bell at Mass General, signaling the end of six-weeks of radiation to treat a brain tumor. The 16-year-old is a rising junior at North Reading High School where he served as a manager for the baseball team this season and a source of inspiration. During his 30 days of treatment, Cullen never missed school and rarely missed a game or practice. Just days after he finished treatment, he returned to his high school baseball field to throw out the first pitch at their first playoff game. Cullen would be at each playoff game to come and was with the team in Worcester over the weekend when the baseball team won their first state championship since 2012. The team beat Arlington Catholic 10-3. The North Reading High School baseball team won the state championship at Polar Park. Eric Evans "It really was a special moment that I will remember forever," said Cullen. "I looked out on the field and took it all in and said, 'you know what, we did it.' This was the most insane moment of my life. I just think someone better write a movie on it. It's a tale for all of time." Playing with a bigger purpose Eric Archambault is the head coach for the baseball team and said Cullen has been a source of inspiration for his players all season. "The kids break out of the huddle every time and it used to be 'hornets on three.' Now, it's 'Brady on three,' and having him there is such an uplifting thing," Coach Arch said. "The kids are playing with a bigger purpose and it's just awesome to see." Cullen said he is gearing up for physical therapy and hitting the gym. All in an effort to get back on the field next season. "If this [championship] isn't motivation to get back on the field, I don't know what is," Cullen said.
CBS News
31-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Massachusetts high school baseball player celebrates end of radiation treatment with teammates
The baseball field at North Reading High School has been getting a lot of use this season. They've made it to the playoffs after all. But their inspiration to play better and practice harder has come from a teammate who was not on the field this year. Brady Cullen is a 16-year-old sophomore at NRHS who would normally be finishing a spring season in his position on third base. Last August, he and his family got a devastating diagnosis of a brain tumor (pilocytic astrocytoma.) The non-cancerous tumor was too close to his brain stem to be operated on. After months of appointments, his medical team at Mass General Hospital recommended radiation to stop it from growing. Brady rings bell after six weeks of radiation This week, Brady finished his 30th session. Six weeks of radiation, five days a week. When Brady rang the bell in the halls of MGH he wasn't alone. "It was unbelievable. It was hard not to just break down right there in the hospital," Brady recalled. When he turned around, he found his entire baseball team lining up in the halls. Cheering him on as he left his last appointment in his months-long battle. North Reading sophomore Brady Cullen is greeted by his baseball teammates after completing treatment at Mass General Brigham. Mass General Brigham "They are my brothers and to see that combined with my family, it was so special," he said. "It just made me realize I am at peace with myself. I am at peace with my journey. I am where I want to be I am where I need to be and that will never change." Team makes trip to Boston Eric Archambault is the head coach of the North Reading High School baseball team. Coach Arch, as he's called, said it wasn't a question of whether the team would make the trip to Boston on Thursday. He said Brady never missed school and rarely missed practice or games as a team manager during his treatments. "We are seeing a kid with our very eyes attack a situation that nobody wishes for, and he takes it head on every single day," said Archambault. "Everyone wasn't supporting Brady just because of the diagnosis. We are supporting Brady because of who he is. He has touched everyone on the team throughout the years, and we look up to him." Brady said he plans to work with a physical therapist and get back out on the field. Overwhelmed and thankful for the army of support he had from his team and community. "Life is the most precious and beautiful thing, and it can be taken away so fast and I want them to realize that, embrace hardships because hardships build your character and they build who you are, and they make you stronger than ever," Brady said. "I know for damn sure I am stronger than ever from this. I am proud to say I came out on top with a whole new perspective on live and a new appreciation for it."
CBS News
31-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Massachusetts high school baseball player celebrates end of cancer treatment with teammates
The baseball field at North Reading High School has been getting a lot of use this season. They've made it to the playoffs after all. But their inspiration to play better and practice harder has come from a teammate who was not on the field this year. Brady Cullen is a 16-year-old sophomore at NRHS who would normally be finishing a spring season in his position on third base. Last August, he and his family got a devastating diagnosis of a brain tumor (pilocytic astrocytoma.) The non-cancerous tumor was too close to his brain stem to be operated on. After months of appointments, his medical team at Mass General Hospital recommended radiation to stop it from growing. Brady rings bell after six weeks of radiation This week, Brady finished his 30th session. Six weeks of radiation, five days a week. When Brady rang the bell in the halls of MGH he wasn't alone. "It was unbelievable. It was hard not to just break down right there in the hospital," Brady recalled. When he turned around, he found his entire baseball team lining up in the halls. Cheering him on as he left his last appointment in his months-long battle. North Reading sophomore Brady Cullen is greeted by his baseball teammates after completing his cancer treatments at Mass General Brigham. Mass General Brigham "They are my brothers and to see that combined with my family, it was so special," he said. "It just made me realize I am at peace with myself. I am at peace with my journey. I am where I want to be I am where I need to be and that will never change." Team makes trip to Boston Eric Archambault is the head coach of the North Reading High School baseball team. Coach Arch, as he's called, said it wasn't a question of whether the team would make the trip to Boston on Thursday. He said Brady never missed school and rarely missed practice or games as a team manager during his treatments. "We are seeing a kid with our very eyes attack a situation that nobody wishes for, and he takes it head on every single day," said Archambault. "Everyone wasn't supporting Brady just because of the diagnosis. We are supporting Brady because of who he is. He has touched everyone on the team throughout the years, and we look up to him." Brady said he plans to work with a physical therapist and get back out on the field. Overwhelmed and thankful for the army of support he had from his team and community. "Life is the most precious and beautiful thing, and it can be taken away so fast and I want them to realize that, embrace hardships because hardships build your character and they build who you are, and they make you stronger than ever," Brady said. "I know for damn sure I am stronger than ever from this. I am proud to say I came out on top with a whole new perspective on live and a new appreciation for it."
