Jack was diagnosed with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma in October 2023 at the age of 11. Always a laid-back kid, Jack took his diagnosis in stride. He joked his way through four surgeries, 33 weeks of radiation, and six months of chemo.
It was a tough road filled with nausea, fatigue, ER visits, platelet infusions, antibiotics, and hospitalizations. Jack lost his hair, lost weight, missed school, battled nosebleeds, and gave up his favorite sport of soccer. But he never complained.
He knew that he was going to be fine. He knew this was just a bump in the road. He kept smiling and kept moving forward.
Jack finished treatment in May 2024. We celebrated with a Make-a-Wish trip to NYC. And Jack jumped headfirst back into life.
He’s 13 now, playing soccer, enjoying school, and joking about getting a girlfriend. He rarely talks about his cancer. His scars and four-month scans are the only reminders of everything he endured.
I’m so proud of Jack – his quiet courage and humor, his faith, his honesty, his kindness. While cancer temporarily wrecked his world, it helped him to become stronger, more resilient and more determined.
He’s truly my hero.
