A look back at AJ Raebel's successful battle against cancer

(In the adjacent photo - AJ and Lissa Raebel - Facebook photo)

With a lot of love from his family and friends, A.J. has beat the odds and “beat cancer.”

(Editor’s Note: A special day for Tom Pattison is coming up on Saturday, October 6, as part of UW-Whitewater’s Family Day football game vs. UW-River Falls at Perkins Stadium.

The event coincides with the Team Tom Cancer Fund that has been established through Commercial Bank in Whitewater. Donations may be sent to: Team Tom Cancer Fund, c/o Commercial Bank, 200 South Freemont St. Whitewater, WI 53190.

The following story documents former UW-Whitewater linebacker, AJ Raebel’s 2009/2010 battle against cancer and the support he received from the UW-Whitewater community.)

Former UW-Whitewater linebacker A.J. Raebel faced many battles “head-on” while attending UW-Whitewater. It was in the weeks following graduation when the Cary, Illinois native faced the biggest battle of his life – a battle for survival against testicular cancer.

Raebel faced an uphill battle, battling the odds, following surgery along with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Bob Berezowitz, who coached Raebel for three years at UW-Whitewater, said Raebel’s confidence helped him get through this difficult period.

“I think it shows his determination,” Berezowitz told UW-Whitewater’s Royal Purple student newspaper. “He fought it right away and kept a positive mindset.”

The UW-Whitewater community refused to let A.J. face “the battle of his life” alone.

Over 450 friends of A.J. Raebel, fans of Warhawk football, and supportive members of the community came to Kachel Gym in Williams Center for the CURE 33 benefit Wednesday, March 10. The benefit, to help the former UW-W all-American linebacker and member of the 2007 national championship team, raised money to help in his battle against cancer.

“The event was a huge success as Warhawk alumni and fans from all over came back to support AJ in his fight against cancer,” UW-W director of athletics Paul Plinske said following the event. “While AJ’s prognosis is very good, he still has an inordinate amount of expenses that insurance won’t cover. It is a testament to the Warhawk family that we were able to generate over $12,000 for AJ”.

“The money was a lifesaver,” Raebel said. “Just the support and compassion made dealing with it easier. It was absolutely incredible. I can’t thank the Whitewater community enough.”

Fast forwarding, A.J. and wife Lissa are happy and living extremely successful lives. A.J. currently teaches eighth grade at the Waukesha STEM Academy and coaches football at Waukesha South High School.

A special thank you to Diane Raebel, AJ’s mom, for publicizing the Team Tom Cancer Fund Drive and the Oct. 6th event on D3football.com chat rooms around the country!