Pediatric Cancer

Proton Alumni Spotlight: Crucial Catch Kids

At the Oct. 12 Jacksonville Jaguars game, the NFL partnered with UF Health Cancer Institute and invited some of their most brave patients — children with cancer — to the field to be honored. Each child chose a superhero name to be announced as they ran onto the field. At the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, we are honored to be a part of these superheroes’ cancer journey, who have fought or are fighting cancer with their families by their side. Here are a few of our super patients that participated in the NFL’s Crucial Catch event with the Jaguars:

Jake “the Speeder” Maher, age 5

Jake loves Transformers, movie nights and going to the beach. He was diagnosed with pineoblastoma, a rare brain cancer, in 2024 and underwent proton radiation and chemotherapy.

Bailey “BaileyKittyQueen” Silverman, age 6

Bailey loves painting, Roblox and playing with her cats. In 2023, she was diagnosed with ependymoma, a rare brain cancer, and underwent surgery at UF Health followed by proton beam therapy.

Preslee “Tiny Talent” Blalock, age 9

Preslee loves gymnastics, swimming, collecting seashells and reading. She was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in 2022 and underwent chemotherapy and proton therapy.

Bernardo “Bravesteel” Ayala Jr., age 11

Bernardo loves soccer, football, Legos and video games. He was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in 2023 and underwent surgery, proton therapy and chemotherapy.