Remembering Skylar: Garfield Heights Bulldogs Pay Tribute - Honors Little Girl Lost to Cancer

Skylar O'NealPhoto bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

Garfield Heights, OH. Take me to a ballgame, take me to a crowd, buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks, and I will never look back. Well, they never look back, which is not part of the tribute, but the ballpark and a small crowd showed up this evening at the MapleLeaf Middle School baseball diamond in Garfield Heights.

This evening, a small roaring group of supporters paid tribute to little Skylar O'Neal. At five years old, Skylar enjoyed baseball, and the Bulldogs and the Vikings battled their tribute on the diamond.

"Today is a special day. We are here in honor of a little girl named Skylar. She's one of us - part of the Garfield Heights family," says Mayor Matt Burke.

The O'Neal FamilyPhoto bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

Before the game began, there was a small tribute to Skylar and the O'neal family. Skylar passed on March 19, 2023, from RMS Cancer Terrence O'Neal, Skylar's dad. According to kidshealth.org, "rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS or "Rhabdo") is a cancerous tumor that develops in the body's soft tissues, usually the muscles. It can affect the head, neck, bladder, vagina, arms, legs, trunk, or just about any body part."

However, research says that boys tend to be affected more than girls. Rhabdomyosarcoma (rab-doe-myo-sar-KO-muh) is reported to be the most common type of soft-tissue cancer in children. Kids can develop it at any age, but most cases are in kids between 2 and 6 and 15 and 19 years old, as reported by kidshealth.org.

"We've been in Garfield for approximately ten years. My kids grew up here and graduated from Garfiled Heights schools. This city is a caring community. When the Mayor heard about Skylar, he and the community supported us - and wrapped their arms around my family. They made her smile, and we are forever thankful - me and my wife, Kristina," said Mr. O'Neal.

The Bulldogs vs the VikingsPhoto bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

The city officials showered Skylar with love during her illness. Mayor Burke and his team orchestrated a street parade for the little girl. "If we ever needed anything, our Mayor was there. His staff always wanted to know how we were feeling. We never expected such kindness—their hearts are in the right place. My family and I are very much appreciative."

The O'Neal Family Tibute on the DiamondPhoto bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

As many folks watched the game, they appeared not to be bothered by the chilly weather. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Svoboda, the former baseball coach of St. Peter Chanel High School (permanently closed), were enjoying the game. "I love baseball. I love Garfield. I am here to watch the Bulldogs defeat the Vikings," laughed Svoboda as his wife told him to bundle up.

Mark SvobodaPhoto bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

Although there were no peanuts, popcorn, or hotdogs, the evening was a shining moment for Garfield Heights, a caring community that will do whatever it takes to put a smile on a child's face.

To learn about Rhabdomyosarcoma, please visit kidshealth.org.