Rest in Peace Cynthia
C-Rod playing in the sprinklers after a long tournament – 2009
August 10, 2012
I knew we were in trouble. Bottom of the last inning, game tied, runner at third, my daughter was on the mound with two stikes on C-Rod. I knew her only by nick name then, but is was immediately evident what made Cynthia different and special; she was strong and she was happy. And it showed as she hammered a ball to right field to score the winning run. Weeks later she went from adversary to team mate and it was much more fun coaching the strong happy girl than competing against her.
Cynthia’s battle began as this organization was in its’ infancy. It was at the very first Oakland Bandit practice ever that she turned to the coaches, including her father Julio, and asked them to go easy on her that day. Cynthia didn’t do “easy”. This was a warning sign. Within a day she had been diagnosed with leukemia. And she approached it as she did everything else in her life, with amazing strength and a smile on her face. She always said, “the Bandits saved my life”. And when she showed up at a game in her pajamas straight from the hospital and was welcomed into the dugout by her team mates with hugs and smiles, it seemed like she was right. Nearly a year after the diagnosis Cynthia had beaten the leukemia into remission and in the USSSA World Series, she played in a Bandit’s uniform for the first time. The picture with her dad Julio (below) was taken moments after the game.
Cynthia used to wear a shirt that read, “Cancer Sucks”. This is true. And eventually the cancer came back and as strong as Cynthia was, cancer was stronger. It wore her down until she couldn’t fight anymore and on August 10th 2012, Cynthia passed away.
Here is what I always remember about Cynthia and her fight with cancer. I never heard her say a word about feeling sorry for herself. Never once. Instead I saw her making plans to help other young people in their fight. The source of her strength, optimism and giving nature are not hard to find. If there are more loving people than Cynthia’s parents Ericka and Julio, I have not found them. No one could have fought harder for their child. No one could have done more. And no one could have been more selfless. As Ericka spear headed a drive to find a bone marrow match for Cynthia, she always took comfort that even if a match for Cynthia was not found, her efforts were finding matches for other children; children she would never meet, never know.
No one worked harder for the Bandits than Julio and Ericka. Despite the fact that Cynthia was on the field for just a few fleeting minutes, Julio was always there to coach and Ericka has been our most successful fund raiser. When asked why, why was a softball team so important, Ericka would respond simply, “So all the little brown girls like Cynthia have a place to play.” Then she would then look at me and add, with a twinkle in her eye, “Don’t worry, Sarah is a little brown girl”.
The picture at the top of this post was taken during the first summer the girls all began playing together. They had just played their sixth game in two days in 100 + degrees. The tournament folks were kind enough to turn on the sprinklers for them. I love this picture. It is how I will always remember Cynthia; strong and happy.
We invite you to share your thoughts about Cynthia or words of support for the Rodriguez family below.
Rob
C-Rod and team mates – Fall 2011
Posted by ajanai morris on August 11, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Im really gonna miss cynthia , she was a really good friend , she was always happy . And its sad that she’s gone , but she’s in a better place now . Rest in Peace C-Rod :’)
Posted by priscilla aquino on August 11, 2012 at 11:00 pm
We would like to send our love to the Rodriguez family. Our prayers and our thoughts are with you all. We will truly miss C-Rod!
Posted by Anthony Murcia on August 12, 2012 at 3:18 pm
I can’t believe that this happened to such a beautiful person. We love you C-Rod and we will miss you very much. We are honored to have known you and very happy of all the memories that we have of you. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family and the rest of Bandits. God Bless you
The Murcia Family
Posted by David Olmos on August 12, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rodriguez family, as well as with her teammates and their families. It was privilege to be on the same team with Cynthia and her family in the Vipers days. We remember well that special moment in time, on a hot summer day, when Cynthia and her teammates ran and laughed their way through the sprinklers. We will hold that memory of Cynthia in our thoughts always.
The Olmos Family
Posted by bettsy sarrias on August 13, 2012 at 12:02 am
Cynthia was my best friend in middle school i learn a lot from her. She showed me to always be strong. I’m really going to miss her. I loved her like a little sister.I will always keep the strength she had in my heart. I’m really sorry for your lose. I hope everything is okay and you will get this. I know Cynthia she wouldn’t want no one to feel sorry for her she was always that strong person that could brighten someones day! I’m really going to miss her but all i can remember her by is that smile she always had and all my memories we had!
<3, Bettsy
Posted by rhonda Donato on August 13, 2012 at 7:39 pm
It was an honor and a pleasure to get to know Cynthia through the Raiders soccer team. She was an amazingly positive force and we will miss her terribly. Our thoughts and prayers, the Donato Family
Posted by jordynn on August 13, 2012 at 10:38 pm
i feel bad for her brother and the rest off her family i also feel bad for my bestie vanessa who is her cousin so yea
<3 jordynn
Posted by Stuart, Christine and Joseph Koplowitz on August 14, 2012 at 3:28 am
We woke up this morning to read that Cynthia had lost her battle with leukemia. To say that we were deeply saddened by this news would be an understatement. We did not know Cynthia well but were pulling for her, just the same, and kept abreast of her health updates through my brother, Rob. We send Julio, Erica and little Julio our deepest condolences and offer our thoughts and our best wishes during this most difficult time.
Stuart Koplowitz and Family
Posted by rudy cordova on August 14, 2012 at 3:38 am
I miss Cynthia like everyone else does.I had so many good memories with her. I knew Cynthia for six years. She was like a big sister to me.I met Cynthia in soccer and from there i knew we had something special.I remember us playing soccer. If it wasn’t for Cynthia i would have gave up soccer. She taught me to NEVER give up. I will always remember Cynthia as a strong,brave,beautiful,,funny,outgoing,and athletic .I am NEVER going to forget that one day that i passed the ball to her in her last session and she made her first goal of her session. I felt so happy i could cry. Im so glad she was in my life.I also have the great honor to call her my BEST FRIEND. I LOVE YOU CYNTHIA.
Judy Cordova
Posted by Natalie on August 14, 2012 at 9:32 pm
My daughter ‘Sydney’ had the pleasure to play Raiders Soccer with Cynthia. What a lovely girl indeed was Cynthia. Always with a smile on her face and ready to beat the other team,…never letting a soccer ball thru ‘her’ goal. May God Bless her family and help them thru this healing process. Our deepest sympathy is with the Rodriguez family.
Posted by Vj on August 14, 2012 at 9:54 pm
We’ll miss Cynthia and we hope she rests in peace. We send our condolences to the Rodriguez family. We are happy we got a chance to meet Cynthia not only as a softball player but as a friend.
-The Ferrufino and Jurs Family
Posted by Garcia Family on August 16, 2012 at 5:56 pm
Our hearts go out to the Rodriguez Family you guys are in our thoughts and Prayers. We had the pleasure of knowing Cynthia and my daugther had the pleasure of playing softball with her. We are very sorry for your lost of your beautiful daugther.
The Garcia Family
Posted by Rosie Salas on August 17, 2012 at 6:26 am
It’s very touching to read such a great article about Cynthia and her parents. Cynthia was a fighter. She set a goal and went for it whole heartly. During her search for her bone marrow march she helped match up many donors and helped save lives. She was loaned to us from heaven – an Angel on a Mission. She will live on in everyone’s memories and heart and through the work her family plans to continue to do to help other children like Cynthia fighting Leukemia. Cynthia got her strength from her parents who have been non-stop 24/7 since day one of this battle. I’m so proud of Ericka and Julio – you couldn’t have done a better job. I love the four of you. – Love Cynthia’s Nina
Posted by Sarah K on August 18, 2012 at 9:15 am
The bandits have always been like a family to me. And losing Cynthia is like losing a sister. I truly loved her and I’m always going to miss her. When I think about Cynthia I remember her bright smile and amazing sense of humor. She could make me laugh any time of any day. I remember visiting her in the hospital a couple weeks ago and she was
really her old self again. I realized that no matter what Cynthia would go through she would always be C-rod. She has always been one of the strongest people I know. This world won’t be the same without her. Rest in peace Cynthia.
-Sarah
Posted by Yvonne Jilderda on August 20, 2012 at 5:57 pm
I just got the news about Cynthia, I’m sad to hear she lost her battle. My thoughts are with her family.
Yvonne Jilderda
Posted by Lori Roberts on August 21, 2012 at 11:48 pm
My Girl Cynthia,
I will miss you. Your spirit, smile, and sense of humor was like no other. I know you are in NO more pain, and in a better place than the rest of us. You were a wonderful person. I watched you through this horrible time and you had your hard days, however you had a lot of strength, and encouragement for others around you. Be yourself and make them smile on the other side.
I will miss you and LOVE you much!!! Rest in Paradise!!!!
Coach Lori
Posted by Stephie Bertholdt on August 22, 2012 at 4:09 am
We are very saddened by the news of Cynthia’s passing. With our deepest sympathy, we keep Ericka, Julio and Julio Jr. In our thoughts.
Stephie and Lisa (Bay Oaks Soccer team)
Posted by Deirdre on August 23, 2012 at 6:19 pm
Erica, Julio, & little Julio,
God bless you all. We are so sorry for your loss.
Cynthia’s spirit will truly be missed. I’m so grateful that we had the opportunity to get to know Cynthia. She will never be forgotton. She touched a lot of people lives in the short amount of time she was with us.
You know have an ANGEL working for you from the other side. Keep your ears open
because you will hear from her often. I know she’s on a soccer team in heaven and not letting any balls get past her. I pray that you find comfort in the Lord during this difficult time. Rest in peace C-Rod.
With Deepest Sympathty,
The Williams-Hilliard Family
(Cedric, Deirdre & Dejah)
Posted by Nicole Tavis on August 23, 2012 at 6:56 pm
My prayers go out to Erica, Julio and Little Julio. Cynthia was an amazing young lady who had a truly amazing heart. She will truly be missed. She will always be remembered for how truly special she was and she will always hold a place in our family’s heart. We now have a very special angel in heaven watching over us all.
Always in our heart, The Tavis Family (Greg, Nicole, Kaliyah and Kobe)
Posted by Selnas on August 25, 2012 at 3:06 am
Such a spectacular girl to have touched so many people in such a short amount of time. Ericka and Julio you must be so proud of her; she leaves a legacy that will comfort you and your family as much as she will be so deeply missed.
With your deepest sympathy,
The Selna family
Posted by Donna, Sam, Frankie & Nicole Hammoude on August 28, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Ericka and Julio,
We had the privilege of meeting you folks as we played for the Vipers 10U team. And although we didn’t play with Cynthia, we heard and could tell that she was a force to be reckoned with on the field. We witnessed her fighting spirit as she continued to attend softball games in spite of her illness. We are so sorry for your loss, but we believe she is in a better place, no longer suffering or in pain. She will always be with you. May fond memories with Cynthia comfort you. We send our deepest condolences, and prayers for your family.
Posted by Angle on October 17, 2012 at 3:52 pm
rip c-rod gone but never forgotten all though i did not know you some close to me did im glade you to were great friends love u c-rod