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World Kindness Day plays role in 29th annual Meadows Turkey Bowl, benefiting cancer families

This is a story of contagious kindness extended now to a single mom kicking cancer to the curb.

Cleveland — Did you get to leave your mark on World Kindness Day 2018?

If you needed a day to "create a kinder world by inspiring random acts of kindness," Tuesday was the day.

Of course, there are plenty of those stories right under our noses here in Northeast Ohio

This is a story of contagious kindness extended now to a single mom kicking cancer to the curb.

Brittany Parker and 5-year-old son Aiden were headed to a complementary Cavs game on Tuesday evening when we caught up to them.

"Yes, he's five and he's the light of my life," Parker told Channel 3 News.

That from a single mom who found out in July that her own life may be on the line. A 31-year-old with everything to live for, diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.

"It’s in my lymph nodes as well as a large tumor," said Parker.

But cancer may have underestimated this mini but mighty momma who comes in fighting every time she hooks up for six hours of chemo.

"With my last chemo being on Thursday, I have like no tumor left and my tumor was the size of a golf ball! How cool is that?" Parker smiles.

She is a sample of the living, breathing #TheGoodStuff people for whom the 29th annual Meadows Turkey Bowl exists.

Teams made up of people like Lee Daubenspeck rise up and have raised more than $1.6 million and counting.

This will be Daubenspeck’s 11th Meadows Turkey Bowl.100% of the proceeds will go to five families up against a cancer diagnosis.

"It has kind of become a tradition for myself and my family. Just so grateful to be part of an event like this," said Daubenspeck.

He is among the bonus friends that Brittany could never have seen coming when cancer came crashing into life as she knew it.

"Everyone knows how grateful I am. I am incredibly grateful. It makes me cry at the thought of it. But I have my makeup on today so I can't do that!” Parker laughs while trying to keep happy tears at bay.

The decision to dedicate The Meadows Turkey Bowl as a fundraiser for families fighting cancer was made 13 years ago in the memory of beloved Beth Mowrey after she passed from cancer.

If you want to get in on #TheGoodStuff game that puts extra gratitude for so many into Thanksgiving Day, click here.

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