ANDERSON TOWNSHIP - A young man who was adopted by the University of Cincinnati's football team during the Brian Kelly era has died after having a seizure, according to a Facebook post by his mother.
Mitch Stone, 23, battled brain cancer while he was a student at Nagel Middle School. After being taken in by Kelly's Bearcats, he became a fixture around the team. His mother, Dee Stone, helped create a foundation to help others like Mitch who might be deprived of activities due to illness. Mitch Stone was diagnosed in February 2009 with Mitch's Mission beginning not long after.
Later, Mitch Stone continued to be active in the mission as part of several "Playdates with the Bearcats," which raised money to send kids to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Summer Camp.
Dee Stone posted this news on her Facebook page Friday:
We are heartbroken to lose our dear son, but grateful that in his short time spent here on earth he impacted so many. Most of you know his story, and it is well summarized in the article below.
To add to that, Mitch graduated with a business degree from his beloved University of Cincinnati this past May. Most recently, he was living at home and rehabbing a house that he purchased with his twin brother, Nick. He was also learning the family optical business and had plans to open a store in Clifton so he could be close to two of his favorite places: UC and Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Mitch had a long road with his cancer diagnosis at the age of 11, but he came out the other side healthy and fit. Three years ago he began having seizures; he took medicine for them, but it was ultimately a seizure that caused his death. We are extremely grateful for the extra 12 years we were able to spend with him.
Mitch was a truly good and caring person--everybody liked him. He always took the time to listen and appreciated a well-told story and a good laugh. He loved UC football, collecting weird things, thrift shopping, running, hiking & camping, spending time with his sisters, Paisley and Piper, and his many, many friends.
He will be in our hearts forever. We are grateful for your prayers and support.
Much love, Dee and Anthony
At Anderson High School, Mitch Stone was an active member of the cross country and track team. He had the ninth-best time in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference during the fall 2015 cross country season at 16:47, while his twin brother, Nick, led the league at 16:19. Both were voted ECC First Team. They also were top runners for Andy Wolf's Anderson track team in the distance events.
Among those who posted their thoughts about Mitch Stone via Twitter Friday was former Bearcat quarterback Tony Pike who led UC teams to the Orange and Sugar Bowls.
"This one is too tough," Pike wrote. "Mitch Stone meant so much to me and the 09 team ... changing lives forever! Fighting, and beating cancer, with a smile the whole time! Accomplished so much and was just starting! My thoughts are with the whole family!"
The University of Cincinnati Athletics Twitter account also posted a tribute to Mitch, saying "he loved the Bearcats and was lost far too soon".
Mitch Stone was a 2016 Anderson High graduate and a 2020 graduate of his beloved University of Cincinnati.
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