"We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other.  If you are always there for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you"

- Jeff Warner

Welcome to Strikeout Cancer's online donation page! Strikeout Cancer was created by Todd Oakes. Todd (referred to as "T.O." by most) was the pitching coach of the University of Minnesota Gopher baseball team from 1998-2016. While coaching at the U, T.O. had a profound impact on his players' lives both on and off the field. He always led by example and was a wonderful mentor and coach to many people.

His amazing attitude and ability to inspire others did not falter when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in June 2012. After his first diagnosis Coach Oakes created "Strikeout Cancer," and asked the Minnesota baseball community to rally together and raise money for blood cancer research and patient aid that will give hope to other cancer patients. Over the next four years, as T.O. courageously fought three AML diagnoses, he never wavered in his support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Strikeout Cancer. With the help of his wife, Terri, "the real MVP," and their 3 boys, Tyler, TJ and Tanner, Todd continued to use the platform of Strikeout Cancer to spread awareness and raise funds for others who have been affected by the same terrible diseases.

Shortly before Coach Oakes passed away, in May of 2016, he was informed that Strikeout Cancer has surpassed its goal of raising $25,000 and had earned the right to grant an LLS funded research project of his choosing. 

Coach Oakes affected the lives of thousands of individuals and it took very few encounters with him to be deeply impacted by his kindness, faith, selflessness and generosity. He frequently spoke of how "No One Fights Alone," and anyone who was a member of T.O.'s "team" felt just how true those words rang.

In his memory, Strikeout Cancer continues with the goal of raising $25,000 in order to secure a research portfolio for his family to dedicate to AML to continue Todd’s legacy of helping others. Thank you for your support of Strikeout Cancer, every donation is vital to bringing us closer to our goal and ridding the world of blood cancers once and for all.

"It takes a team effort like everything else - No One Fights Alone!" - Coach Oakes

For more information about LLS, please visit lls.org