SHEFFIELD LAKE, Ohio — Watching 37-year-old Ed Honse IV drop in over and over on the ramp, and you know he feels at home. He's happily married to his wife Lauren, with their first baby due in July.
He has a solid group of friends who bring him joy; their bond runs decades deep.
"He's just like the best person in our group of friends ... he's the best out of all of us, you know? And, he is also sort of the glue that holds everybody together," said longtime friend Berto Castaneda.
He's also a beloved member of the Sheffield Lake skateboarding community, founding Shred with Ed in 2020. It's an afterschool program aimed at empowering kids.
"He usually has some type of charcoal grill or something, a skillet, and he's cooking hot dogs, has juice or water. A lot of the families come down, the moms and dads and watch. So he's getting families involved, not just the children," said friend Aaron Bober, a Sheffield Lake police lieutenant.
"Ed was very influential for my boys. They were interested in skating. I brought them to the park. He built them skateboards," said friend Bret Morgan, a Sheffield Lake police officer.
That's why it came as a shock to learn that this beloved friend, father-to-be, and mentor to so many, is in the fight of his life.
"We had a little spot and unfortunately that little spot grew a lot bigger and then lungs and stomach," said Ed.
He has testicular cancer. And it has spread. He starts chemotherapy on Monday, but is out of work without pay for nine weeks. His friends say he never asks for anything, but gives everything.
"Free shoes, free skateboards, doing his competitions. And just by seeing that he's able to get, you know, 100, 200 kids to come out and skate, especially kids that probably would've never skated if it wasn't for Ed," said Sheffield Lake Mayor Rocky Radeff.
"Giving kids outside that aren't into like baseball and basketball and football and stuff like that, an opportunity to come out and compete athletically, it's just, it's incredible," echoed Berto.
That's why his friends and community are rallying for him. A GoFundMe was created to help him pay for medical bills and get back on his feet. And, he's even had some high-profile supporters, like professional skateboarder Chad Muska.
"Dude, Chad Muska just donated so much money," Ed said of his friend letting him know about Chad's contribution. I was like, it's a blessing."
Ed says he's humbled by the love.
"These guys are just, they're great. Couldn't ask for a better group of friends," he said of his longtime pals.
His friends say if anyone can beat this, it's Ed.
"Well, he's tough as nails. He is tough as they come. The injuries that I've seen ... he's had and heard about, he's definitely the one that's gonna beat it. That's for sure," said Bret. "He's got the heart of a giant. He really does."
For Ed, he has a message for his "Shredders":
"Keep doing it. I'll be, I'll be back."
To donate to Ed's GoFundMe, click HERE.