Son’s leukemia battle inspires fundraising FAMILYKitchen tour, watch party among events scheduled
BY HEATHER WARLICK
Published: November 8, 2008
Above: The Whitaker family’s last portrait before the death of Mitchell, 10. From left, Mitchell, Tracy, Meredith and John Whitaker. Inset: Mitchell died of complications from leukemia Sept. 27, 2007. Photos provided
Tracy Whitaker remembers how she and her husband, John, would whisper into son Mitchell’s ear when he was in the hospital.
Featured Gallery
Advertisement
"Keep fighting,” they would say as they kissed him goodnight.
On Sept. 27, 2007, as Mitchell took his last breaths, he removed his oxygen mask and spoke a message to his parents: "Keep fighting.” And keep fighting they have.
It’s been a little more than a year since the Oklahoma City family lost 10-year-old Mitchell to leukemia. His two-year battle with the disease ended in a bout with pneumonia.
Though their hearts may never fully recover, Tracy and John are sharing their love for their son — his bright eyes, sunny disposition or how everyone who ever met him fell in love with him.
The Whitakers have made it their mission to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in hopes of finding a cure. They’ve started a fundraising group called Mitchell’s Angels and sponsored events across the city.
"I just don’t want other parents to have to go through what I’ve been through. There’s not a cure yet, and that’s just what we need, a cure,” Tracy Whitaker said.
Mitchell’s Angels will hold a watch party today at Lyric Theater, 1727 NW 16, starting 30 minutes before the University of Oklahoma football kickoff. Sunday, Mitchell’s Angels will host "Spicing It Up for a Cure,” a kitchen tour of five Oklahoma City kitchens.
The group has authored a cookbook, "Mitchell’s Angels Presents Angel Foods,” which is available for sale online at www.mitchellsangels.com and during the kitchen tour.
The group held a golf tournament last week, and each spring, a Del City baseball tournament will honor Mitchell, who missed playing baseball only one season during his two-year battle with cancer.
And for her 40th birthday in January, Tracy and 50 of her closest friends will run a marathon to raise $170,000 for the society. Before Mitchell’s death, Tracy had run a few miles here and there but never anything near the 26.2 miles in a marathon. But after Mitchell died, she said training for marathons gave her something positive on which to concentrate. And in the process, she could raise big money for research.
"We always would say, ‘Go, Mitch! Go!’” she said.
On Jan. 18, Mitchell perhaps will be looking down on his mom, saying "Go, Mom! Go!”
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on local crime or fatality stories.
The Spicing It Up for a Cure Kitchen Tour from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday will highlight five kitchens with five distinct themes. All proceeds will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Tickets are $15 in advance, available at Mitchellsangels.com, by calling (405) 889-8544 or $20 at any of the kitchens on the day of the tour.
→Tammie Dunn’s kitchen, 5008 NW 59, is decorated in a fall theme and features fall "tasties.”
→Melissa Morgan’s kitchen, 5805 NW 56, has a "Modern June” theme and features Ruth’s Sweete Justice.
→Elizabeth Taylor’s kitchen, 6801 Milrace Lane, features unique "Fiesta” ware.
→Susan Diffee’s kitchen, 8300 NW 66, has a "Romantic eclectic” theme and features Coco Flow.
→Sherri Pat Rothwell’s kitchen, 9800 Ramsey Road, is an outdoor kitchen and features ideas for healthy living.
Featured Gallery
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a commentEditor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on local crime or fatality stories.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).