Mike Bonin, Cancer Survivor Throw Ceremonial First Pitch for Dodgers

by City News Service

Councilman Mike Bonin and 10-year-old leukemia survivor Vanessa Ribeiro of Mar Vista threw a ceremonial first pitch before Saturday's Los Angeles Dodgers-Tampa Bay Rays game at Dodger Stadium.

Bonin earned the honor by being the top fundraiser at "Yas-a-thon," an annual three-hour indoor cycling event at YAS Fitness Centerz, raising $13,585 for ThinkCure!, a nonprofit organization that raises funds to accelerate collaborative research to cure cancer.

Bonin then invited Vanessa, described by Bonin as a "true blue Dodger fan," to join him. 

Throwing the first pitch was "an honor I wisely shared with Vanessa, who is far more athletically talented than I!" Bonin wrote on his Facebook page.

Vanessa was diagnosed with leukemia while in kindergarten. Her cancer went into remission following surgery and chemotherapy, Bonin said.

Bonin's sister Maureen died from cancer 2 1/2 years ago at age 41.

"During her illness, I learned about strength and courage and love," said Bonin, who took office July 1 and whose 11th District includes Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Venice and Westchester. "But I also learned first-hand how brutal and unforgiving cancer is and how desperately far we are from a cure."

The Dodgers are conducting their sixth annual ThinkCure! Weekend during their three-game series against Tampa Bay that concludes Sunday in an attempt to promote awareness and raise funds for cancer research. 

ThinkCure! was endowed by the Dodgers and provides funding for projects at City of Hope and Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

The Dodgers won Saturday's game 5-0.

—Patch editor Nicole Mooradian contributed to this report.