Tommy Coykendall - December, 2018

My name is Tommy, and I am a cancer survivor.
I was told I had cancer in August 2010, I was 9 years old and about to start 4th grade. I was diagnosed with stage 3 malignant melanoma.  My primary cancer was on my back and it also spread to my lymph nodes in my right arm and cancer cells were in my groin also. I have had 2 surgeries; high dose and low dose interferon treatments; saw tons of doctors; had many, many tests and scans; lots of blood has been taken and numerous biopsies have been done.
 
When I was diagnosed when I was 9, we were told it had nothing to do with the sun. I would love to have a tan and be carefree in the sun and not worry like everyone else but unfortunately I have to be cautious because my chances of getting melanoma again are extremely high.
 
Soccer helped me through my tough days and I still love playing soccer. I look forward to playing at practices and games and being with my friends. I play on my varsity high school team and play with 2 travel soccer clubs along with being a soccer referee. It's a definite passion of mine.
 
2018 marks 8 years ago that I was told I had cancer. I still see numerous doctors, have 6-month checkups, tests, scans, bloodwork, sometimes biopsies and unfortunately have had a few scares that my cancer returned. At the present time, I remain stable and remain No Evidence of Disease (NED).
 
Fast forward 8 years later from my cancer diagnosis and Cancer might have changed me in some ways, but it doesn't define who I am now or who I will become in the future. 
 I am a senior at Stroudsburg High School still loving and playing soccer and preparing for college and looking forward to what the future holds for me. I am more determined to accomplish my goals in the future and live life to the fullest.
 
THANK YOU FOR HELPING SPREAD AWARENESS FOR ALL CHILDREN BATTLING CANCER. ONE SMALL STEP WILL LEAD TO GREAT THINGS AHEAD.