Yankees dream fulfilled for Seminole boy with Hodgkin's lymphoma

SEMINOLE

Michael Martinez, 12, has good days and bad days battling Hodgkin's lymphoma. Saturday was certainly one of his best days ever. Michael climbed into a limo and traveled with his family to meet his idols, the New York Yankees.

"Michael has loved the Yankees since he was little," said Larry Martinez, Michael's 19-year-old brother.

The trip, coordinated through the Children's Dream Fund and the Yankees, included a tour of the locker room and dugout at Tampa's Steinbrenner Field. But the highlight was roaming the field and meeting the players and coaches. He then had VIP seats to watch his team battle the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Yankees lost, but Michael didn't seem to notice.

"Michael had a blast," said his brother. "It didn't matter. He didn't want to leave."

The day included a signed team ball, bat and team memorabilia.

"Michael is getting ready to decorate his room with all the stuff he gathered up," said his brother. The brothers live with their father, Lazaro Martinez, and mother, Marlen Montes.

Michael was diagnosed in September. As the cancer of the lymphatic system progressed, it compromised Michael's ability to fight infection.

"This was huge for Michael," said Kristen Bedinghaus of the Children's Dream Fund. The non-profit organization has fulfilled about 100 dreams a year since 1981 for children with life-threatening illnesses, she said.

"We want to give the child and family something fun to look forward to and remember, instead of thinking only about the next medical procedure," Bedinghaus said.