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Teen Battling Cancer Meets Phillies Players, Enjoys Day At Ballpark Thanks To Man's Project

By Kristina Dougherty 

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Dan Hill is not your typical teenager.

Sure, he has a passion for Philly sports, and is a huge fan of Eagles' linebacker Connor Barwin-- but he is also battling cancer.

Saturday, Dan went to the Phillies game. And before the first pitch, he got the chance to meet Phillies players Aaron Nola, Tommy Joseph, Andrew Bailey, Mickey Morandini, Cody Asche, and Phillies broadcaster Larry Andersen.

Dan also met former MLB player and Phillies broadcaster Gary Matthews, who let the young fan wear his 2008 world championship ring.

This all came together as part of a project created by Greg Durfee called the 'Youth Cancer Baseball Tour.'

Greg saw CBSPhilly.com's story about Dan meeting Connor Barwin back in December, and he reached out because he wanted to treat Dan and his friends and family to a Phillies game.

Dan's mom Ann says despite the tough cancer treatment, her son stays an inspiration.

"He's constantly positive. He's constantly optimistic. He faces everyday and the challenges, and even when he gets beaten down - and he does - he gets beaten down, and beaten down, and it might take a little bit, but he eventually gets up with a smile on his face."

And it just so happened Saturday was Dan's 16th birthday.

To commemorate the occasion Dan was surprised with gifts and a gift bag given to him by his favorite player, Aaron Nola.

"Best birthday ever," he said. "I watch these guys on a daily basis."

Greg Durfee first started his mission of brightening the days of kids with cancer after seeing a friend's nephew die.

He told MLB.com, "It devastated my life. When Nicholas passed away, I was actually at his bedside. I got very angry. We had prayed for him, laid our hands on him, did everything we could, but it wasn't enough."

Durfee found his faith again, and he has since made it his mission to provide happiness to cancer-stricken children.

He created the Youth Cancer Baseball Tour back in 2005, and since then it has expanded exponentially.

Since 2010 they have taken over 700 kids and families dealing with childhood cancer to MLB Games. And this month, they expect to surpass 800.

For more information on the Youth Cancer Baseball Tour, click here.

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