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Fundraiser will help young coach with cancer

March 1, 2007 12:35 am

HAVING FACED surgery to remove a 10-pound tumor and most of his hip, energy-draining chemotherapy and the prospect of more procedures to fight a rare form of bone cancer, Billy Greer has moments when the pain seems too much.

But the Spotsylvania County husband, father and longtime youth coach has a special motivation.

The 37-year-old, who has lost almost 90 pounds so far, credits his wife, Jennifer, and friends and family members with helping him cope since the diagnosis of metastatic osteosarcoma in August.

But when the chemo has his blood count so low that sitting up is a Herculean feat, Greer has one last resort.

He remembers what he preaches to the basketball and baseball players he coaches.

"I always tell them that their job is to work hard and get better, giving everything they've got," he said. "It's my turn to work with everything I have to get better. They depend on me, and I can't let them down by not getting back to coaching."

This weekend, a host of others will join the support for the Greers.

They've been chosen as the beneficiaries of Saturday's 23rd annual Oyster Roast, hosted by White Oak Equipment and Stafford's Friendship Baptist Church.

Since its inception, the event has raised more than $450,000 for families dealing with illness or misfortune, last year clearing $54,300.

The Greers say money from the roast will cover medical expenses, the loss of Jennifer's income during a leave of absence to care for her husband and making their house more accessible for Billy.

Greer's love of sports started during neighborhood games that led to playing time on the Stafford High basketball court. By then he already was coaching a cousin on a Stafford parks and rec team.

Billy and Jennifer, who met working at the Deacon Road Food Lion in high school, married right after she graduated from Mary Washington College in 1991.

She went to work for GEICO; he signed on as a computer specialist at Fort Belvoir.

Greer's family grew with the arrival of son Ryan 11 years ago. Soon, father was coaching his own son and other people's children.

It was on a trip to Cooperstown with a traveling baseball squad that back pain became tough to ignore.

Initial X-rays and exams pointed to a strained disc. But an MRI came back with a chilling finding: "an aggressive tumor, almost certainly malignant."

The type of cancer usually found in children and teens was in his hip and smaller spots on his rib and lower spine.

Rounds of chemo to shrink the tumor on his hip led to surgery Dec. 15, when surgeons removed 95 percent of the joint.

Both Greers are quick to credit neighbors and friends with every kind of help.

"The pastor and congregation at Fredericksburg Baptist Church have also made a difference, helping me learn to cope with the hard times," Greer said. "I credit this better last round of chemo to the prayers from the church's Sunday school classes."

But it's the contact with his young players that buoys Greer's spirits the most.

"Things like this," said Greer, his eyes misting up as he produced a handwritten letter and hockey card sent by one of his players, Jon Ober.

"The card I gave you is Mario Lemieux," wrote Ober. "He fought through cancer just like you will. Lemieux was one of the best hockey players in the East and West. He is a talented sportsman. But I think you're better."

"With that kind of support behind me," Greer said, "I'll be back."