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Fundraiser Held For Baseball-Loving 10-Year-Old Girl Battling Cancer

GRANADA HILLS (CBSLA.com) — A fundraiser was held Saturday in Granada Hills for a little girl battling a big disease.

Emily Lomeli is only 10, but she has a rare form of ovarian cancer.

KCAL9's Joy Benedict asked Lomeli about her ordeal. And even if she knows what her disease is actually called.

"It's ovarian immature teratoma," she says, matter-of-fact. And it's as difficult a disease to battle as it sounds.

"It's been really hard," Lomeli said, "they put medicine into you and you just get nauseous."

Lomeli loves nothing more than baseball -- she's been playing since she was 3 -- and today she played in a fundraiser with her team, the Titans.

She hadn't been in right field since she was first diagnosed last October 10.

To show their support, many people in the stands wore #17 on their backs -- Emily's number.

The Titans gave her a declaration today honoring her courage -- she's the only girl on the team --  but anyone you ask will tell you she is one of the guys.

Said Emily's dad, "The team loves her. She's like everyone's little sister."

There were raffles, silent auctions, T-shirts, as well as bracelets sold. All proceeds go to Emily's charity, BelieveIn17.org.

Emily told Benedict she was especially touched by her teammates having the fundraiser.

"They know what I've been going through," she said.

Lomeli didn't make it on base today, but as Benedict reported, there was no one in attendance who didn't believe she's not already playing like a champion.

For more information about Lomeli and her charity, go to BelieveIn17.org

RELATED LINKS:

Stricken With Cancer, Baseball Diamonds Are This Girl's Best Friend

10-Year-Old Cancer Patient Delivers Donated Toys To Children At LA Medical Center

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