A picture of Raist and a story about courage.

TATE

TATE

AzB Gold Mensch
Silver Member
TNPChampions.jpg


This picture is from the newspaper. This is Raist, TitlistSucker here on A-Z Billiards. Raist is well known among us cue collectors here. Raist is battling the advanced stages of cancer right now half a world away in Singapore.

This picture and story was sent to me at my request from MasterClass, Christopher, his good friend in Singapore. Raist confided in me months ago that his disease was progressing and that he did not have long to live.

This picture was taken in 2002. Raist is the healthy looking and handsome young man with the white collar looking down at the check. MasterClass is his friend next to him, with his fist raised. They just won the Team National Championship playing 8 Ball at Singapore's spectacular Convention Center.

A month of round robin qualifiers lead to the quarter finals, the semi-finals, and the championship. Raist and MasterClass were on a team that was only supposed to be an alternate. With mostly unknown players, they were a huge underdog to win anything much less the tournament. They were called to play in the semi-finals against the first team, and somehow they knocked them out!

They went on to the Convention Center, with it's 4 floor atrium filled to the brim with spectators.

Raist was ill at the time and in severe pain, but insisted on playing his matches. It was a race to 9 playing 8 ball. Raist's team made it to 8 ahead.

They were on the hill, and it was Raist's match. Despite the pain and weakness from his illness, Raist stepped up and played. It was his moment. Raist somehow made it through the 9th rack AND WON THE NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP! The stadium erupted in pandemonium.

This picture was taken, and Raist was taken to the hospital right after and admitted.

Raist has always faced his disease with the utmost courage, rarely talking about it. All this time I knew Raist , he never even mentioned this championship.

Let's pray for this beautiful young man. Please, now let's pray for a miracle.

Chris
 
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I will certainly add my prayers for this courageous young man in the battle for his life. He hasn't had many years on earth, but if one's life is measured by your friends, then he has indeed lived a full life. He is lucky to have you for a friend. Thanks for posting his amazing story.

Linda
 
Wow, Chris...What a story! If anyone ever deserved a miracle, this young certainly seems deserving! That took real guts to tough out the tournament. My prayers go out to him and his family and friends.

Scott
 
Sad Story

Raist was the first AZer that I dealt with on a business and personal level. And my experience with him was great. He was so genuine in dealing with me, a very honest and nice guy. I trust AZers because of my great transactions with Raist.

Raist, the people on this forum are all better people having dealt and interacted with you!
I will pray for you...

Best Wishes
Rob

ps. Who has my Purpleheart Titlist?
 
Thank you Chris for telling Raist's story. I recently lost my father to cancer and can appreciate the sorrow that Raist's friends and family are feeling. I offer my prayers to Raist and his loved ones.
While I had no personal dealings with Raist, I can tell from the discussions in this forum that he is a quality individual and is deserving of all our prayers.
 
God's blessings Raist. Thanks for posting your cues and info here...you're missed!

Martin



TATE said:
TNPChampions.jpg


This picture is from the newspaper. This is Raist, TitlistSucker here on A-Z Billiards. Raist is well known among us cue collectors here. Raist is battling the advanced stages of cancer right now half a world away in Singapore.

This picture and story was sent to me at my request from MasterClass, Christopher, his good friend in Singapore. Raist confided in me months ago that his disease was progressing and that he did not have long to live.

This picture was taken in 2002. Raist is the healthy looking and handsome young man with the white collar looking down at the check. MasterClass is his friend next to him, with his fist raised. They just won the Team National Championship playing 8 Ball at Singapore's spectacular Convention Center.

A month of round robin qualifiers lead to the quarter finals, the semi-finals, and the championship. Raist and MasterClass were on a team that was only supposed to be an alternate. With mostly unknown players, they were a huge underdog to win anything much less the tournament. They were called to play in the semi-finals against the first team, and somehow they knocked them out!

They went on to the Convention Center, with it's 4 floor atrium filled to the brim with spectators.

Raist was ill at the time and in severe pain, but insisted on playing his matches. It was a race to 9 playing 8 ball. Raist's team made it to 8 ahead.

They were on the hill, and it was Raist's match. Despite the pain and weakness from his illness, Raist stepped up and played. It was his moment. Raist somehow made it through the 9th rack AND WON THE NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP! The stadium erupted in pandemonium.

This picture was taken, and Raist was taken to the hospital right after and admitted.

Raist has always faced his disease with the utmost courage, rarely talking about it. All this time I knew Raist , he never even mentioned this championship.

Let's pray for this beautiful young man. Please, now let's pray for a miracle.

Chris
Click to expand...
 
its a terrible thing that Raist is going through... He will deffinatly be in my prayers.. he was always very nice to me when i had questions and was always very happy to help anybody who needed it... i deffinatly valued his opinion and he will always be in my thoughts.. My prayers also go out to his family because they will need all the help they can get in this trying time..

chris
 
TATE said:
Let's pray for this beautiful young man. Please, now let's pray for a miracle.

Chris
Click to expand...

I've known (and liked) Raist for many years now, going back to early RSB days, he's always been a stand up guy, I'm pullin for him.

Jim
 
I watched two very close relatives succumb to cancer. I will keep RAIST in my prayers. Thanks for keeping us informed Chris.
 
Chris - thanks so much for getting permission to post a picture of Raist. It is nice to put a face to a name after communicating with him on various occassions. Also you deserve a REP point for obtaining the details on the story.

If by chance Raist reads the thread, hopefully he will see all the friends that he has reaching out to him with well wishes and their prayers. I am praying for you Raist to at least have your prayers answered.

May God Bless You My Friend,
Myron
 
Raist,

Although none of us can probably fathom your pain and suffering, we can all understand your love of cues and playing the game of pool. Take comfort in knowing that many of us have said a prayer in your name, and that God will be looking down upon you with a tender hand and a watchful eye.

The story of you playing through your pain is indeed an inspiration, and I can only hope that whatever life you have left, you get to have it filled with joy and hope.

Thank you
 
I haven't know Raist as long, or as closely, as several of you. But, in my limited interactions he quickly established himself as one of the Good Ones. Honest, up-front, knowledgeable and willing to share whatever he could.

Raist, I will say extra prayers for you. Please know that you are in many people's thoughts.
 
In my thoughts....

....Having spoken with Raist a few times since I joined the boards, I quickly came to the conclusion that he is DEFINITELY one of the greats here. It amazes me how someone faced with such adversity can still find the inner strength to battle it out......and for that....he has my unconditional respect.

You're in our hearts and minds, Raist.

Rat
 
A sad but great story. I don´t pray, but will keep Raist in my thoughts as often as I can. I wish him all the strenth and peace of mind in the world.

gr. Dave
 
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ive been a friend to raist for years now.
alot his titlist cues in his collection came from me.
we have talked on yahoo PM every night for a couple years now.
we have had some awesome discussions over the years.
i will always remember you raist chin.:)


your friend,


chris G
 
Talk about Pride and Courage. My family and I will be pulling for him.
 
TATE said:
TNPChampions.jpg


This picture is from the newspaper. This is Raist, TitlistSucker here on A-Z Billiards. Raist is well known among us cue collectors here. Raist is battling the advanced stages of cancer right now half a world away in Singapore.

This picture and story was sent to me at my request from MasterClass, Christopher, his good friend in Singapore. Raist confided in me months ago that his disease was progressing and that he did not have long to live.

This picture was taken in 2002. Raist is the healthy looking and handsome young man with the white collar looking down at the check. MasterClass is his friend next to him, with his fist raised. They just won the Team National Championship playing 8 Ball at Singapore's spectacular Convention Center.

A month of round robin qualifiers lead to the quarter finals, the semi-finals, and the championship. Raist and MasterClass were on a team that was only supposed to be an alternate. With mostly unknown players, they were a huge underdog to win anything much less the tournament. They were called to play in the semi-finals against the first team, and somehow they knocked them out!

They went on to the Convention Center, with it's 4 floor atrium filled to the brim with spectators.

Raist was ill at the time and in severe pain, but insisted on playing his matches. It was a race to 9 playing 8 ball. Raist's team made it to 8 ahead.

They were on the hill, and it was Raist's match. Despite the pain and weakness from his illness, Raist stepped up and played. It was his moment. Raist somehow made it through the 9th rack AND WON THE NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP! The stadium erupted in pandemonium.

This picture was taken, and Raist was taken to the hospital right after and admitted.

Raist has always faced his disease with the utmost courage, rarely talking about it. All this time I knew Raist , he never even mentioned this championship.

Let's pray for this beautiful young man. Please, now let's pray for a miracle.

Chris
Click to expand...

Just incredible.
My prayers go out to this young man. What courage.

To Tate:
Raist is fortunate to have a friend like you. Beautifully written.
 
I got an idea for you. How about starting an annual pool tourney for him. That would bring lots of donations towards the fight against cancer. I have lost my mother to it and it was very traumatic for me. You just don't know what you got until it is gone.:( I will pray for your friend and for everyone with this horrible disease.
God bless you for this article. It was truely heart felt.:)
 
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