Nonprofit creates 'dream' experience on the water for warriors with cancer

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- It's the start of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and a local nonprofit just finished up their seventh year allowing sick kids a respite from fighting cancer.

With a yellow hue in the morning sky and reflective glass-like water, the scene on the Upper Niagara River felt like a dream on a recent Thursday morning. A crew that makes dreams come true took both 14-year-old Lukas Leddick and his dad out, free of charge.

"All your worries go away out here… look how beautiful it is out here," said Captain Ned Librock, the founder of Catching Dreams.

Boat Captain Connor Cinelli knew where the fish were hungry on the Upper Niagara. He baited a line and helped Lukas get it in the water. On the very first cast, something bit. The small mouth bass got thrown back in the water after a few pictures and smiles. A second line was then thrown and almost immediately, it happened again.

And then, it happened three times in a row.

It seemed impressive, until Lukas later told WIVB News 4's Kelsey Anderson that it was nothing compared to what he's done before with Captain Connor.

"The first time I went on this, I caught 30 fish," Lukas said.

"We had a riot," Blake Leddick said about their first time on the water with Catching Dreams. "We caught 30 sheepshead, and it was just a blast."

"It's not unusual to catch between 20 to 40 fish depending on what you're fishing for," Captain Ned said. "We're blessed with a fishery in Western New York that's superb. If we fish the Lower Niagara River, we can catch all different types of trout, walleye, bass -- Upper Niagara River -- walleye, bass, freshwater drum sheepshead."

Captain Ned Librock is the founder and president of Catching Dreams. He's a certified charter boat captain and fishing guide who started the nonprofit with the idea of turning fishing into therapy for local warriors fighting cancer. His first year, just three kids signed up.

That soon multiplied to hundreds and Captain Ned recruited other captains, like Connor and his dad Chris, to jump on board in cities across the state.

"We're in Western New York, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and we're starting in Albany, and talking with some folks down in Long Island right now," Captain Ned said.

We live in an area with one of the largest sources of freshwater in the country, but Ned said many kids he takes out have never been on the water.

"The anticipation level is really high," he said.

And that turns into something really special -- for a few moments, when a fish starts to pull at the line, the thought of their illness floats away.

"We started off where he wasn't really into it, and then he caught his first fish and the joy and happiness of ya know... the attitude just changed completely," Blake said.

"Whenever I fish, it takes a lot out of my mind -- to not think of cancer and it's just fun to fish," Lukas said.

This was Lukas' third time out with Catching Dreams.

"He got diagnosed a week before he turned 10," Blake said.

"(I had) B lymphoblastic lymphoma," Lukas said. "(It's) blood cancer, but in my leg."

He fought cancer for more than two years. Today he's cancer free, but still lives with painful nerve damage in his leg. That led to a broken ankle, but Captain Connor doesn't let a cast get in the way of casting lines.

"We actually requested Connor," Blake said. "I was like, 'We want Connor again.' That bond and that trust that we get with Captain Ned's crew (including) Connor, I'm excited. I'm looking forward to it again next year."

At the end of Lukas' first trip, he received his own rod, reel and tackle box from Catching Dreams. Every child gets one. And if they bring a sibling along, they get one too.

"We've created addicts, there's no doubt about it," Captain Ned said.

But Captain Ned isn't the type to fish for compliments. He said he does all this for another reward.

"We always tell people, we get paid in smiles and the smiles are all over," Captain Ned said. "It's a real respite for them."

On Sept. 18, all proceeds from an event called Shine Gold will go to Catching Dreams and three other local pediatric cancer nonprofits. It's happening at the Fox Valley Club in Lancaster. Tickets are $75 for adults and $10 for kids.

To buy tickets and get more information, click here.