White Plains’ Munroe continues to inspire
By Shannon Fagan
Following loss to Piedmont in Area Tournament Championship,
Munroe was diagnosed with a type of cancer called sarcoma on July 9, 2007. Munroe, along with doctors, originally thought a knot on his back was nothing more than a herniated disc.
Even though doctors advised him coming out of sports would help his recovery Munroe was determined to play through the pain. He played throughout the Wildcats’ baseball season, but the pain intensified during a preseason basketball camp in
Munroe went to the doctor and had a MRI done, which revealed the cancer. The cancer was not only on his back, but there were also a few spots on his lungs.
"It felt like my whole life stopped," Munroe said. "Everything came crashing down, but I knew if I got depressed, then the harder the battle was going to be."
That battle got harder when Munroe told his basketball teammates. He said he broke the news to them the night he found out before practice.
"It was hard, the hardest thing I’ve ever done," Munroe said. "Everyone was crying, and it was a real emotional day, but they let me know I had their support 150 percent."
Determined to beat the cancer, Munroe began radiation treatments a day later on July 10. Munroe had his first chemotherapy treatments July 25, which he is still going through today. He said, "I have my good days and my bad ones."
"(Treatments) have been going good," Munroe said. "I’ve been going in for a new round of chemo, and that’s a little rough. It gets me tired. I’ve been off and on with it since September. They’re trying a new chemo agent now, and it’s like the fifth or sixth one I’ve gotten. I’ve been on this one since mid-December, and they seem to think this one is working now."
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As a result with most chemotherapy treatments, Munroe’s hair fell out. He said he doesn’t mind being bald, especially since a few of his coaches and teammates decided to join him.
"Coach (Chris) Randall wanted to do something special, so the next thing I know is all the coaches are on my doorstep with shaved heads," Munroe said. "It felt good knowing the people around me support me."
Randall said the coaches, as well as many of the players, shaving their heads was a way to show Munroe he wasn’t in the battle by himself.
"When he started chemo, all of his hair fell out and we didn’t want him to feel alone," Randall said. "Bradey got the biggest kick out of that."
While he hasn’t been able to play basketball this season, that doesn’t mean Munroe isn’t an integral part of the team’s 23-5 record. He said he’s become the team’s biggest cheerleader on the bench.
"Coach tells us that we all have a role to play, and my role is trying to be the biggest encourager I can be," Munroe said. "I’m really proud to see how everyone has come together. Everyone is filling their roles well. I’m always telling them I want to be out there with them, and I tell them to play extra hard for me."
Randall said Munroe is more than just a cheerleader. He said Munroe has become an inspiration to the entire
"Being a captain is a big responsibility, and he’s continued carrying that responsibility," Randall said. "He’s very involved with everything we do. His attitude has just been incredible."
Randall said Munroe’s inspiration isn’t just limited to the basketball team.
"He recently spoke to the sixth grade about the importance of having a great attitude and about making good choices in life," Randall said. "He’s also given his testimony at several churches. He’s just been so inspirational."
Munroe also keeps a journal on a cancer website (www.caringbridge.org) to let everyone know how he’s doing in his fight. Randall said the site has had over 2,500 hits since coming online.
Munroe’s story has also inspired Randall and several other high schools to donate proceeds from their ticket gates to the American Cancer Society.
When
On Feb. 1, the Wildcats defeated Faith Christian 64-50 on Senior Night in a game that raised more $1,200.
"It means a lot to me to see other schools and other people care about research and development," Munroe said. "It was pretty amazing, and it was a great success. Any time you get money for something like that is great."
During the Faith Christian game, Randall said "there wasn’t a dry eye in the house." "It was a special time," he said. "Lately, it’s been his toughest time. It’s his senior year and he didn’t get to play, but you wouldn’t know it from him."
Munroe said he’s proud of the way his teammates have believed in themselves this season. He admits it’s been hard not playing, but this season has been special nonetheless.
Munroe said he hopes the Wildcats can make it even more special with a trip to
"I feel we can make it however far we want to. If we stay hungry, I think we can make it to
Added Randall: "We’ve had some kids with some tough injuries here before. It was tough seeing them struggle and fight to make it back, but this is different. Bradey’s fighting to live. He’s fighting to have a future. What we all do is important, but what we’ve all learned is it’s not as important as what kind of person you need to be. Something like this puts things in perspective."
