'No one fights alone': Nipmuc, St. Paul softball teams rally around Dudley teen battling brain cancer

David Breault watches before the Nipmuc softball game May 13 in Upton.

On Nov. 11, 2025, Breault went to Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H. He took an MRI and was told there was a large mass on his brain.

“Kind of a surprise,” he said.

“My jaw just dropped and hit the floor,” his mom said.

The next day, Breault’s parents brought him to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. They were then sent to Boston Children’s Hospital for more tests.

On Nov. 18, 2025, Breault was diagnosed with a non-germinomatous germ cell tumor. Brain cancer.

“I was really just shocked,” Breault said. “It was really surprising because you don’t think that can happen to you.”

“It was gut wrenching,” said Conant, a mother of five. “You have kids and you always think they’re going to be healthy and they’re going to thrive and reach their goals. … You get this crazy news that just smacks you in the face.”

David Breault’s young brother Finnegan Conant gets high fives from the St. Paul players before a Nipmuc softball game May 13 in Upton.

Breault then underwent six cycles of chemotherapy before having brain surgery on April 13. Doctors removed the whole tumor, which was originally measured at 4.9 centimeters — similar to the size of a lime.

“It was pretty rough at times,” Breault said. “It’s getting there, and it’s getting much better. As every day goes by it’s getting better.”

“It’s been a lot,” his mom said.

Breault will soon start a six-week radiation treatment in New York. The family hopes that radiation will be his final hurdle in clearing his recent cancer diagnosis.

“Praying that everything is going to be OK,” his mom said.

Former Shepherd Hill runner David Breault competes in the 400 hurdles during the District E Division 1 Class Championships on May 13, 2023.

In the meantime, Breault has enjoyed spending time with family and friends; he’s even started to select classes for the fall semester at Franklin Pierce and looked at housing.

Oh, and he’s running again.

“I definitely want to run again,” said Breault, a former standout runner at Shepherd Hill. “I don’t think it’s over. I know it’s going to be difficult, but I want to be back out there and with all my friends.”

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Bigger than the scoreboard

While David Breault didn’t know many of people who attended the Nipmuc and St. Paul softball game on May 13, they all knew about him.

At the field located behind Nipmuc Regional High School, folks gathered to show support to Breault during a ‘Fight Like A Kid’ fundraiser held in his honor.

“Never thought I would ever meet people like that (who) support me so much,” Breault said.

Nipmuc’s Savvy Carr starts the game against St. Paul May 13 in Upton.

Fight Like A Kid (FLAK) is a non-profit organization created by Johanna Annunziata that aims to unite sports teams and athletes by using their platform to spread awareness for pediatric cancer.

Wednesday’s softball game was the last of six high school contests this spring that helped raise money for children with cancer.

“It is bigger than the scoreboard (and) bigger than the athletes,” Annunziata said. “It is about showing children and families they’re supported. Even by complete strangers. Because when teams come together for a common goal, there is no stopping what they can do. On the FLAK team, no one fights alone.”

Helping spread that message on Wednesday was Savannah Carr. The Nipmuc senior and softball star spearheaded the latest campaign that raised $2,800 for Breault and his family amid their fight against cancer.

“I really hope that this event helps David and his family feel the support and reminds them how they are not in this battle alone,” Carr said.

David Breault’s young brother Finnegan Conant throws a ceremonial first pitch before a Nipmuc softball game May 13 in Upton.

Breault’s two youngest siblings, Colton and Finnegan, tossed out the ceremonial first pitches ahead of Nipmuc’s game against St. Paul. Carr then toed the rubber for the Warriors in an 8-4 loss to the Knights.

No matter the result, however, everyone came together to rally around a local teenager battling cancer.

David Breault and his family appreciate the support. Even if it comes from complete strangers.

Donate: Help David Breault in his fight with cancer

“It’s just a great feeling to know that even in the hardest times, the darkest times when we’re just so low or feel defeated, that people that don’t even know David — and hear his story — just want to help in any way they can,” his mom said. “It’s truly amazing.”

“It means so much to me to just know that all these people want to help me,” Breault said. “Even if they’ve never met me. They want to help me with the crap I’m going through and it’s just so crazy how good this community can be.”

—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Nipmuc, St. Paul softball teams show support to teen fighting cancer