A Teenager's Strength and Hope in Search of a Cure
By: Jordan Vandenberge
Updated: December 11, 2012
Strength can be difficult to measure. But you know it's there when you see Sam Featherstone.
"I try to focus on the good," Featherstone said. "Things are just kind of rough right now but I try to keep my head forward. It's kind of accepted at this point that things are going to play out of the way they are."
"Everything was great before cancer honestly, it really takes a disaster to open your eyes."
The strength he has will never make him walk again, let him road midfield or realize a dream.
"I wanted to become a pediatric oncologist so other children who are in my situation wouldn't have to go through what I've been through," Featherstone said.
Three years ago, this aspiring doctor became the patient.
He had brain cancer. He relapsed again and again. His home would become his hospice.
"It's just been a long road and honestly I'm not afraid of death," Featherstone said. "I'm ready to move on and I think we've all pretty much accepted it."
In the darkest of outlooks, Featherstone's strength shines the brightest. He's accepted his outcome and it's opportunities.
"Things are pretty bleak right now, honestly," Featherstone said. "I'm trying to do what I can with the time I have left to raise additional money and awareness for pediatric brain cancer."
He already raised $5000 for St. Jude's Hospital by himself. Plenty more will come with a fundraiser later this month.
His time on this earth may be limited. His legacy won't be.
"I'm trying to use what time I have left to help and elongate the lives of others," Featherstone said.
He's not just strong, he's Samstrong. Like strength, hope is hard to measure.
But you know it when you see it.
"It definitely hasn't been easy," Featherstone said. "But i think hope is never really entirely giving up but seeing things as they are."
Sam's fundraiser is scheduled for December 27th at Saint John the Baptist Church in Newburgh. Click here for more information. All the proceeds go to benefit St. Jude's.
"I try to focus on the good," Featherstone said. "Things are just kind of rough right now but I try to keep my head forward. It's kind of accepted at this point that things are going to play out of the way they are."
"Everything was great before cancer honestly, it really takes a disaster to open your eyes."
The strength he has will never make him walk again, let him road midfield or realize a dream.
"I wanted to become a pediatric oncologist so other children who are in my situation wouldn't have to go through what I've been through," Featherstone said.
Three years ago, this aspiring doctor became the patient.
He had brain cancer. He relapsed again and again. His home would become his hospice.
"It's just been a long road and honestly I'm not afraid of death," Featherstone said. "I'm ready to move on and I think we've all pretty much accepted it."
In the darkest of outlooks, Featherstone's strength shines the brightest. He's accepted his outcome and it's opportunities.
"Things are pretty bleak right now, honestly," Featherstone said. "I'm trying to do what I can with the time I have left to raise additional money and awareness for pediatric brain cancer."
He already raised $5000 for St. Jude's Hospital by himself. Plenty more will come with a fundraiser later this month.
His time on this earth may be limited. His legacy won't be.
"I'm trying to use what time I have left to help and elongate the lives of others," Featherstone said.
He's not just strong, he's Samstrong. Like strength, hope is hard to measure.
But you know it when you see it.
"It definitely hasn't been easy," Featherstone said. "But i think hope is never really entirely giving up but seeing things as they are."
Sam's fundraiser is scheduled for December 27th at Saint John the Baptist Church in Newburgh. Click here for more information. All the proceeds go to benefit St. Jude's.
