Sabian Fuller of Bainbridge was diagnosed with Leukemia Sept. 1, 2014, at 4-years-old.

The lifestyle changes for him and his family are still taking some getting used to. Constant trips to Atlanta for Chemo treatment are interspersed with the complications of a raising a young kid with cancer.

But Fuller is strong, and his mom, Crystal, says they’re knocking treatment right out of the park.

The community has his back, too.

The Bainbridge Head Start program caught wind of Fuller’s illness and organized for Bainbridge High School students to send him cards. Hundreds of letters wishing him well were sent to him.

But Fuller loves football. He wants to play when he grows up. He was even supposed to be recognized on the field during the Bearcats last home game against Dougherty County, but he was in the hospital longer than they expected. So what better way to make his day than to give him his own jersey and football signed by Bainbridge players?

The gift made Fuller and Crystal appreciative that the community was thinking about them. But it didn’t stop there. Head Start organized for Fuller to meet the Bearcats in person.

When Crystal brought her son to the Bainbridge weight room before leaving for another round of Chemo in Atlanta Sunday, she didn’t expect many players. After all, it was pouring down rain. When she and Fuller walked in, they were surprised to see almost the entire team waiting for them.

Crystal said Fuller lit up when he saw the Bearcats standing there cheering for him. They sat him down in a chair and each player shook his hand, told them their position and number.

“I was overwhelmed,” Crystal said. “It was something small, but it meant so much to him. They had to do that short notice, and the weather was bad, but they still made it out.”

Fuller lifted some weights and showed the team his muscles. After finding out he wanted to be a wide receiver, they spent some time passing the football. Fuller felt like he was on the team.

“I thank the Head Start family for loving Sabian and (showing) they haven’t forgotten about him,” Crystal said. “And I thank the high school, because they showed him so much love.”