Baseball as a Lifeline
Bridget Martinez, a mother from New Orleans, is entering her third confrontation with cancer, a journey that began with a breast cancer diagnosis in June 2016 and most recently revealed a Stage 1 adenosarcoma in April 2025. After the disease resurfaced in her colon on Dec. 11, she will endure 23 treatment sessions over the coming year, each lasting roughly six hours, one of which is colloquially called "The red devil" — a name she refuses to utter.
Her son, Kolston Martinez, a senior on the John Curtis baseball team, has turned to the sport as a refuge. The rhythm of the game offers him a distraction from the uncertainty surrounding his mother’s health, while also providing a space where he can channel his emotions into something tangible.
The shared struggle has deepened their connection. Bridget missed two of Kolston’s games after her first round of therapy, a loss that weighed heavily on both of them. In response, Kolston shaved his head as a visible sign of solidarity, mirroring his mother’s own battle against the disease.
Through each treatment and each game, the pair remain focused on staying positive. Their story illustrates how sport can become a sanctuary, offering both a source of strength and a means of coping when life’s challenges feel overwhelming.