Lehigh Valley Chapter for AIDS Research
(See photos of this event)

AIDS is the final stage of infection by a virus called HIV. When people have AIDS, their immune systems have been so damaged by HIV that their bodies can't fight off invading germs. They get many deadly diseases that healthy people can fight off. Research for a cure of AIDS is being sought worldwide. Sacred Heart Hospital and local radio station WAEB-FM support the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Chapter for AIDS Research.

• Visit the Office Of Aids Research Web Site

Saturday, July 12, 1997, Thorsten and many One Life To Live stars participated in a softball game against the team from WAEB-FM Radio in Allenstown, Pennsylvania. The the event sponsor was Sacred Heart Hospital and proceeds went to the Lehigh Valley Chapter for AIDS Research.  Reports from Soap Opera Weekly, Soap Opera News and two personal accounts follow.

Many of OLTL's biggest stars went to bat for a good cause when they played a game of softball against a team from a local Allentown, Pa., radio station, WAEB-FM. Proceeds went to the Lehigh Valley Chapter for AIDS Research. The Llanview all-star team included Thorsten Kaye (Patrick), Stephen Markle (Mel), Sandra P Grant (Rachel), Kamar De Los Reyes (Antonio). Erin Torpey (Jessica), Crystal Chappell (Maggie), Florencia Lozano (Tea), Yorlin Madera (Cristian) and Nathan Purdee (Hank), who had to bow out of the game early for another good cause. "I left at the top of the last inning because I was preparing a barbecue at my house for everyone," Purdee explains. "It was only 15 miles from my house, and they had to drive past my house to go back to New York, so I invited everyone over." While Nathan and his wife were preparing dinner, the OLTL team squeaked out a one-run victory. As soon as the game wrapped, the whole Llanview gang piled into a bus headed straight for the Purdees. "Someone said to me the day before, 'Yeah, we're going to go to Nathans house and trash it' and I said, 'Well, obviously you haven't met my wife,' " Purdee says with a laugh. "So, they trashed the yard instead!"

Thorsten at bat	Thorsten with OLTL Castmates
At the Lehigh Valley Chapter for AIDS Research benefit softball game

The cast and crew of One Life to Live headed out to play their annual fund-raiser softball game, and this year, the daytime actors challenged a team from radio station WAEB-FM 104 in Allentown, Pa. The event benefited the Lehigh Valley Chapter for AIDS Research. Thorsten Kaye (Patrick), Stephen Markle (Mel), Nathan Purdee (Hank), Sandra P. Grant (Rachel), Will Kempe (Ian), Patricia Mauceri (Carlotta), Kamar De Los Reyes (Antonio), Yorlin Madera (Cris), Jose Soto (Eddie), and Andrea Navedo (Linda) did the show proud - the thrilling game, played before 2,000 spectators, came down to the last out before OLTL won, 15 to 14. After the game, the OLTL team headed for Nathan Purdee's house for a party. The team bus finally returned to New York City, with all hands weary but warmed by a job well done.

The celebrity softball game to benefit AIDS research was held on July 11, in Allentown, PA. The Allentown team from local radio station WAEB played the Llanview All Stars team, which consisted of both actors and "behind the scenes" people. The players included Thorsten Kaye (Patrick Thornhart), Stephen Markle (Mel Hayes), Nathan Purdee (Hank Gannon), Sandra P. Grant (Rachel Gannon), Kamar de los Reyes (Antonio Vega), Yorlin Madera (Cristian Vega). Will Kempe (Ian Armitage), Steven Markle (Mel Hayes), Patricia Maurceri (Carlotta Vega), Tim Stickney (RJ Gannon) and Gina Tognoni (Kelly Cramer). The team manager was Alan Needleman, OLTL assistant stage manager.

Donna K (DLKEEPER), who had come from Maine to visit, and I got up fairly early, after a very late night of enjoying the "The City That Never Sleeps". If it weren't for the fact that we were going to see TK in shorts, we would have turned off the alarm and gone back to sleep. It was only the prospect of meeting the Loopers for the first time (and of course seeing TK) that motivated us to get ready to go.

The drive out of Manhattan was a breeze and the trip went well until we reached Allentown. Evidently, the previous night's carousing interfered with our ability to follow directions. After numerous stops to ask directions (and many wrong turns) we arrived at the field with almost no time to spare. Fortunately for us, the other Loopers who were more astute than we were at following directions, had saved us seats behind the Llanview Team. A long line had already formed for autographs and it was too late to hope get TK's autograph before the game began.

It was a hot, sunny day with temperatures in the nineties. TK was wearing a striped baseball shirt with number 34 on the back and a pair of cranberry-colored shorts which showed off his muscular calves and thighs, much to the Loopers' delight. Because of the heat, TK wet his hair down, which reminded us of the scene on innishcrag, when Patrick helped rescue the drowning victims. TK later put his hair in a ponytail to get some relief from the heat. Throughout the game he wore his OLTL hat backwards. A teenager asked him if she could have his hat and he said he would auction it off later. At one point during the game, someone in the crowd yelled to "Patrick" to take off his shirt. He shook his head and suggested that she take hers off.

The Llanview team's lineup was announced with great fanfare. TK's name was called last and he ran on to the field accompanied by the loudest applause of them all, with the Loopers leading the cheer. During the National Anthem, TK removed his hat, stood at parade rest, and sang along, which really impressed the crowd. During the warm-ups, TK demonstrated his soccer skills by doing the "Rainbow," catching the ball between his feet, with bent knees, jumping into the air, then flipping it up behind him, over his head and catching it. My son, who has played soccer for many years, tells me it's not an easy move using a soccer ball, but with a softball, even more difficult! The fans were in awe! TK certainly was a crowd pleaser!

TK was up at bat first and when the ball finally managed to make it all the way across the plate before hitting the ground, TK hit the ball nicely. It was a pop-fly to left field and it was caught by the home team and TK was out! He returned to the bench to enjoy some refreshment, and talk with his Llanview team mates. One of the Llanview team members was a baby, with whom TK was quite taken. He bounced the lucky child on his knee, held him/her high in the air, made faces at him/her, and kissed and cuddled the dear child. The baby was delighted with the attention, and the Loopers christened the child Cara Christina.

The next time he was at bat, TK hit a double, and, in his zealousness, overran second base, sliding and falling as he tried to turn around. He got up, spun beautifully, and returned to second before he could be tagged out. Yorlin Madera batted next, and TK came home in a blaze of glory, to much cheering and applause. When he returned to the bench, he was obviously quite pleased with himself, and looking toward where the Loopers were sitting, raised his arms in victory, and received a conquering hero's reward.

Midway through the game, the teams changed "dugouts" and TK and the rest of the Llanview team moved to the other side, much to the Loopers' chagrin. There were several items raffled off, and I won an autographed softball, supposedly signed by everyone on the Llanview team. To my dismay, upon examining my prize, I realized it was missing several signatures, including TK's! I complained to one of the event organizers, who promptly remedied the situation, and asked TK to sign the ball.

After the game, TK's hat that he had worn all day was auctioned off, with TK taking the mike and encouraging the crowd to bid higher, all for a worthy cause, which was to benefit AIDS research. The hat was bought by a father for his teenage daughter, for $70.00. The father got a hearty handshake, and the young woman got a big bear hug from TK, as well as the hat. As usual, TK was gracious to everyone, and generous with his time, stopping to have his picture taken and to talk to his many fans. The line once again formed for autographs, and the Loopers joined in to wait their turns. After about a half hour, an announcement was made that because of the heat and the lateness of the day, there would be no more autographs. Of course, TK kept on signing, and we kept on waiting in line. Our persistence paid off, and Donna and I managed to get TK to sign the photos we had brought.

One of the best parts of the day for us was afterwards, when a group of us "Loopers" went out to eat, and got to know one another better. We put Thorsten's picture at the head of the table so he could join us for dinner!

Janice, Karen and Amanda watched and waited as the OLTL actors stepped off the bus. Here they come....Kamar, Sandra, Gina, etc., and no sign of Thorsten. They could not believe TK would stand them up. Then they heard someone say there was another bus on the way. The bus arrived, but no TK. Karen then spotted a guy walking across the field from the parking lot. Their fears were unfounded, as they saw the "mahn" hug Kamar and jump the fence to join his fellow actors.

The autograph lines were formed and Janice managed the line and got her vest signed and like a good Sis had mine signed too. She gave TK a bag of goodies (more on that later). He took out the Miami Dolphin's dog collar and said, "Hey this matches that other 'thing.'" Janice said, "It's called a leash." TK said, "This is great." He turned to Kamar and said, "Maybe I should wear this today." Kamar said, "I don't think so." TK thanked Janice and gave her a smooch.

The teams warmed up and TK was throwing with Kamar. Thorsten picked up the ball with his feet and tossed it in the air and caught it (Is there no limit to this man's talent?) TK missed the throw from Kamar and fell to the ground lying there, flat on his back in disbelief. (I was glad to hear you loopers behaved and did not take advantage of this situation!)

Batter up! TK was first. He connected, but the fly ball was caught as he ran to first base. He headed back to the bench and said, "Where is the beer!" TK did not assume a position in the field, although we all know he is outstanding in his field.

As TK waited for his next at bat, he sat on the bench searching through the shiny, bag of gifts. He took out the Miami Dolphin plates, turned around to Janice, held them up and said, "These are great." One by one he looked at the gifts, smiling and shaking his head. (I had written funny little notes on the outside of each.)

Back to the game . . . both teams changed sides and TK picked up his shiny bag and his beer and headed for the other bench. Oops, he had to return, he forgot his brown leather pouch. (sorry, TK). Thorsten was up to bat and this time connected for a double. He over-ran second base and no one even seemed to care (UK rules, I guess). I heard he even hugged the second baseman upon his return to the base. The next batter (Yorlin) hit him home. TK ran, removed his hat for speed and ran some more and his gait was mighty fine. The game progressed and OLTL won 15 - 14.

Alan "Needles" Needleman was auctioning TK's hat. Alan tried to remove TK's hat and TK told him he would be right back. He hustled to the bench and quickly changed hats, so he could look his best for his loopers (no hat hair here). Only $70.00 for his hat - loopers, where were you?

After the auction, my Sis passed by him and he grabbed her arm and said I want to thank you for all your support and kissed her again! (Now I am thinking I should have canceled Florida.)

Back to the autograph tables for the actors. Janice, Karen and Amanda headed for the car. Amanda, age 7, picked up a rock and said she wanted to get it signed for me since I could not be there. Karen told her they would not see TK again; they were going home. As they put their "stuff" in the trunk, guess who was walking to his car? TK, two women, three security guys and a dog. TK put that shiny bag in his car, looked up and saw Janice and said, "Hey"! Janice said, "You drove here after Connecticut?" He said, "Sure, I had the wrong directions in CT." and he went on and on.

Amanda had her picture taken with Thorsten and she asked him to sign the rock. He said, "A rock"! Amanda nodded and TK did sign my rock which is my new paperweight. He said, "Gotta go, we have this thing to go to." (Which was swimming and food, anyone invited?)

TK waved to Karen, blew her a kiss and said. "Be good"! Janice was next to him, he took her hand, kissed her on the cheek and said, "Drive safely." He pulled away with the two women in his car, tooted his horn, waved over the top of his car and yelled, "See ya!"

. . . And I sure hope so!