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TOLEDO — What would you be willing to give up for love? It's a question that many of us won't ever face. For Ben Pike, it seems the answer is almost everything.
Pike was an accomplished athlete, playing the role of defensive lineman for the University of Toledo. Football was the love of his life before he met Ashlee Barrett, his girlfriend and soon-to-be wife. When he found out that her ongoing battle with cancer was once again reaching a head, he decided only one love could be in his life.
Pike, with another year of eligibility to play for Toledo, decided he needed to spend time with Barrett during her treatment and recovery and quit the team.
"I know in some people's terms, he's giving up things," mother Becky Pike told Cleveland.com "But he's really not giving up. He's not giving up anything. He's really fighting for life. And he's just turned his forces to he's going to win a battle for life instead of winning on the football field."
Barrett was diagnosed with leukemia in April. Though she has undergone surgery and chemotherapy, her cancer returned in late January. Rather than try to squeeze in time with his fiancee, who lives in St. Louis, between the games and practices, Pike opted to focus on her.
But he's really not giving up. He's not giving up anything. He's really fighting for life. And he's just turned his forces to he's going to win a battle for life instead of winning on the football field.
–Pike's mother
"We talked ... and we both decided the best thing I could do for both of us is finish up and graduate this spring," Pike said. "So that's what I'm going to do, finish school and balance time to see her and support her while she's going through this."
Cancer has been a cloud casting a shadow over their entire relationship. Just a few months after they got engaged in Dec. 2011, Barrett was diagnosed. Since then, he has visited her each weekend. During the week, he studies to become a history teacher and does student teaching at a local school.
"I know when August comes around, it's going to be tough," said Pike. "My body will be gearing up for two-a-days, and I'll have nothing to go to. But everything must come to an end sooner or later. I can walk away with no regrets."
The couple still intends to marry June 15, despite the illness.
