Most would call him a hero or miracle, but to his family, we call him Superman. Justin was diagnosed when he was 5 years old with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. After two years of chemotherapy and three years of being cancer free, he relapsed when he was 10 years old. He underwent brain surgery to remove a new tumor on his brain, and followed with radiation and chemotherapy. We thought he was in the clear, until another five years later, he relapsed again. He was 15 years old and starting his freshman in high school. We knew this would be the hardest battle yet. We tested everyone immediately to be a donor, but no one matched. After a year of searching, we found an anonymous match and he underwent a Bone Marrow Transplant in 2007. The doctors said he would spend close to 6 months in the hospital after the transplant. He was released before Christmas, only after 3 months. His perseverance has shined through each battle he has faced. He went through most of his childhood and teenage years in and out of the hospital and yet he has turned in to such a charming and brilliant young man. He has a sense of humor and smile that light up the room. He never gave up, even when we thought he wouldn’t make it. He is now 20 years old and has officially hit 5 years being cancer free! His battle still continues due to some side effects of the chemotherapy, but no one would ever know because he is so strong. He never stopped his schooling during any of his treatment and is currently a junior at the University of Arizona studying to become an Oncologist. He has built a passion to helping others like those who helped him. Justin hopes one day that he can save lives of children with cancer, just like his doctors did for him. He is an inspiration to everyone he meets and as his older sister I can say he will always be my superman.

Signed,
Jennifer Richards