Rockport’s population is over 10,000 people, but five-year-old Cayson Rodriguez’s grandmother says the city is like a big family.
“He was surrounded by love right away, and it’s been that way ever since,” Connie Teal said.
The love started to flow after doctors diagnosed little Cayson with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The treatments are rough on the boy’s body, but Teal says her grandson is a fighter.
“He is handling this like a champ,” she said.
Cayson has more than family by his side. You can see the phrase ‘Cayson Strong’ all over Rockport and the surrounding communities. The phrase is on t-shirts and wristbands. Cayson’s brother’s football team even wear stickers on their helmets that say it.
“Cayson Strong is a wave of humanity that’s taken over Rockport,” head coach Steven Cantu said. “We all rallied around the Rodriguez family.”
The support for the Rodriguez family doesn’t stop at thoughts and prayers. There have already been two benefits raising money for the family, and a third is in the works for next weekend. There’s also a blood drive on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Rockport Walmart. You can also donate blood at the Coastal Bend Blood Center in Corpus Christi or any of the blood center’s mobile locations. If you give Cayson’s name, he’ll get credit for it.
“Thank you for everything from everybody,” Teal said. “Thank you all for everything. It’s very much appreciated.”
