A Young Athlete Faced Stage 2 Cancer. The Water Helped Him Cope.

At 17, I was a competitive swimmer with big dreams, and suddenly everything changed. In September 2024, just days after returning from my first Division I swimming recruiting trip, I was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma.

But I didn’t stop swimming.

Earlier in 2024, before my diagnosis, I became the state champion in the 100-yard breaststroke. During treatment, I stayed committed to the sport I love. I continued training and competing throughout chemotherapy, using the water as both therapy and motivation.

In my first high school meet after my diagnosis, I won the 100-yard breaststroke and qualified for the state meet. At the 2025 Kansas 6A State Championships, I finished second in the 100-yard breaststroke, something I’m incredibly proud of given everything I was going through.

What I Wish I Had Known Before My Diagnosis

My biggest stressor during my cancer journey was the unknown. Not knowing how I’d respond to treatment. Not knowing if I’d ever be the same swimmer again. Not knowing if life would go back to normal. The uncertainty was constant, and it weighed on me more than anything else.  

If I could go back [in time], I wish I had known how mentally exhausting cancer can be, not just physically. Everyone talks about the chemo, the hair loss, the scans, the fatigue. And those are all very real. But what really hit me was the emotional toll. The way it changes how people look at you. The way you start to question your identity, especially as an athlete.  

I wish I had known it was okay to not be okay sometimes. That strength isn’t just about pushing through. It’s also about letting yourself feel, break down, and ask for help when you need it. 

I also wish I had known how important my support system would be. Teammates, coaches, friends, family. I didn’t fully appreciate how much their presence, encouragement, and even just their normal conversations would mean to me during treatment. You think you’re going to fight it alone, but you don’t. And you’re not supposed to. 

A Note About Support & Connection

Feeling isolated and alone can be one of the hardest aspects of a cancer experience. We are here for one another. Join our Cancer in Your 20s–30s discussion forum (or explore our forums on other topics) to meet others who are navigating cancer or supporting a loved one.

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Finally, I wish I had known how much this journey would change me for the better. It made me more grateful, more focused, and more determined. Cancer took a lot from me, but it gave me something too — a deeper understanding of who I am and what I’m capable of.

What I Want Others To Know

There have been some really positive changes in my life since my cancer diagnosis. I’ve met incredible people — fellow survivors, athletes, coaches, and supporters — who’ve inspired me and helped me feel less alone. I also received several awards during treatment, which reminded me that I was still capable of achieving great things, even in the middle of the fight.

What I want people to know is that cancer doesn’t have to be the end of your story. It can be the beginning of a new chapter. I’ve been through the fear, the exhaustion, and the uncertainty, but I’ve also come out stronger, more grateful, and more determined.

Now in remission, I share my journey to inspire others, especially young athletes, to keep fighting and believe in their strength. I want people to know that cancer doesn’t get to define your life. I use my story to show that you can keep chasing your goals, even when the road gets tough. Life is a gift, and every day is a chance to prove what you’re capable of.