Adam was a typical teenage boy, one who loved Pokémon, video games, and robotics. Adam had dreams of becoming a paramedic one day. As he prepared for his freshman year of high school, Adam and his family were excited to see where the next steps would take him.
At the end of July, everything changed.
Adam had begun to experience trouble focusing his eyes and started seeing double. Upon taking him to an optometrist, they said he was most likely experiencing the start of a migraine. However, that night, Adam began to experience a severe headache, vomiting, and trouble walking, which led the family to see Adam’s primary doctor the next day.
The primary doctor noticed unusual eye movements and sent him to the emergency room. At the emergency room they were told Adam was most likely stressed about started school, causing him to experience a migraine. They treated him for this and sent them home.
The next morning, Adam woke up in excruciating pain and could no longer walk. His primary doctor sent him for an emergency MRI over an hour away. On the car ride home, Adam and his family received news that would change their lives.
“The MRI showed a mass in the pineal region of Adam’s brain that was blocking the flow of fluid and causing hydrocephalus. We soon learned there wasn’t just one tumor, but multiple tumors in his brain, as well as cancer that had spread into his spine,” Adam’s mom said.
From there, Adam spent his next ten days in the ICU and underwent brain surgery to reduce symptoms and obtain a biopsy. Within these ten days, Adam was officially diagnosed with non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs), a rare type of brain cancer most often diagnosed during adolescence.
With this diagnosis also came the news that Adam was now a Four Diamonds child.
Four Diamonds’ mission was not unknown to Adam and his family. Adam and his sister, Zoe, had raised money towards Four Diamonds through Mini-THON™ at their schools. They had no idea that one day they would personally benefit from this mission.
Within a matter of days, Adam’s focus had shifted from starting high school to discussing six rounds of chemotherapy over 18 weeks, followed by six weeks of radiation in Philadelphia.
Adam shone through his sense of humor, curiosity, and plans that motivated him throughout his diagnosis and treatment. Adam’s original aspirations of becoming a paramedic have only grown stronger after being surrounded by medical professionals that he may be one day. Whether he becomes a paramedic or takes on another role in the medical field, Adam has goals of bettering the lives of the people around him.
“I’m looking forward to not having to deal with chemo and hospitals anymore and just being a normal teenager again. When I grow up, I want to be a paramedic because I like helping people and want to make a difference,” Adam says.
Although Adam has a long road ahead, one filled with chemotherapy, hospital stays, radiation, scans and uncertainty, he is not alone. Adam’s support system, which includes his gym, swim club, school district, family and friends and THON™ has helped empower Adam during this difficult time.
During Dream Forward, we are looking to Adam for inspiration on what it means to be hardworking, passionate, and strong. Adam shows us that we can still look at our goals, hopes and dreams in times of hardship – with determination and support from others, our dreams can become a reality. Together we can fight for a day when Adam is able to put his treatment behind him and can continue to work towards his future, a future where Adam can focus first on being a teenager.
Like Adam and his family, all children and families impacted by childhood cancer have their own goals they are working towards, and they serve as a reminder to us of why we THON. We THON to ensure Four Diamonds families can grow up and see their aspirations come to life.
The Dream Forward campaign aims to raise $1,500,000 For The Kids®, to help all our dreams become a reality and to dance in celebration one day of a cure.
THON™ is able to donate 96 cents of every dollar raised to Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital because of supporters like you. Your generosity creates moments of joy for Four Diamonds children and families and empowers our volunteers through year-round events, fundraisers and THON Weekend.
