David

David was in the prime of his life, a high school football and basketball star, lifeguard, surfer and an excellent student making plans for college.

But all that changed the day he was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a cancer usually found in the bone and most often diagnosed in teenage boys. Because the tumor was located on his spine, surgery was not an option. Instead David became the first patient at Shands Children's Hospital to receive proton radiation, a therapy that goes directly to the tumor without damaging other organs. He also underwent a year of chemotherapy and missed his entire junior year of high school.

David missed playing sports but continued to cheer on his team while they, in turn, supported him and his family in his fight against cancer. David was able to return to school his senior year and graduated on time.

Today he is cancer free and a student at the University of Florida.