One family to another

CLEMSON — Had they opted to call off the game and go home before the first pitch, there probably wouldn't have been much protest.

Baseball took a back seat to humanity Tuesday evening at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, where Mary-Louise Pawlowski was honored before College of Charleston's game at Clemson.

Pawlowski, 13-year-old daughter of Cougars coach John Pawlowski, was presented with a check for $15,000 that was raised to help pay for her medical expenses as she battles a rare form of cancer.

Mary-Louise was born in Clemson when her father was an assistant coach for the Tigers. Her favorite color is purple, and during a moving pregame ceremony both teams wore shirts emblazoned with: "Paws for the Cure — Friends of Mary-Louise Pawlowski."

"It's always good to be in a position to be able to help when someone needs it," said Clemson coach Jack Leggett.

Mary-Louise, who lives in North Augusta with her mother and two sisters, was diagnosed with PNET (primitive neuroectodermal tumors), a rare malignancy seen in only 2 percent of children with cancer.

Last month, she underwent successful surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from her chest. Leggett spearheaded a fundraising drive and presented the check to the Mary-Louise Pawlowski Foundation after a speech at home plate.

"It's hard to describe what coach Leggett and the Clemson family has done for our family," John Pawlowski said. "It's heartfelt and very meaningful, special."

This certainly goes beyond the wins and losses, beyond the playing field. I can't thank the Clemson family enough for what they did tonight and what they've done for us."

Reach Larry Williams at >lwilliams@postandcourier.com and check out the new Clemson blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks/>