Mark Sanchez’s Friend Dies
A close friend of the Jets' quarterback has died due to a rare form of cancer.
Mark Sanchez had a friend named Aiden Binkley. Aiden was an 11-year old boy who died last Thursday. Binkley was suffering from a rare form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. A lemon-sized tumor spread from Aiden's pulvis to his lungs.
Aiden had a wish to meet Mark Sanchez. He was able to meet the 24-year old quarterback when he visited the Jets' training facility with his mother on December 15th.
Sanchez developed a relationship with the boy immediately. They texted back and forth routinely. Sanchez also drove to Aiden's house to surprise him. Sanchez waited until Binkley woke up to share a conversation with him.
Following Aiden's death Sanchez said, "He meant the world to me. I felt like I've known him forever. It kills you, just thinking about it. I love him to death."
Sanchez has been wearing a camouflage bracelet that Aiden gave to him which reads, "Binkley's Battle." The Jets honored Aiden with a moment of silence before they played the Buffalo Bills last Sunday.
A story like this puts things in perspective. It shows that although we're not able to change certain things in life, like cancer, we can impact other people's lives in a positive way. Both Aiden and Sanchez helped each other.