Today’s Jay Fund Heroes – Josh Pita
Chemo in the morning – Football in the afternoon. That’s how this childhood cancer patient rolls!
Nominated by Shari Gottesman, “If I may take a moment to nominate and tell you about a special young man … Josh, age 10, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in November 2010 and has been undergoing chemo since. Josh underwent one year of intense chemo, which meant that he missed the 2011 football season. He began maintenance therapy in November 2011, and by July 2012, his body was strong enough to return to his beloved football. He has a port in his chest to receive some of his treatments. He asked that the port be placed in a spot where his shoulder pads could protect it so that despite his illness he could continue to masquerade as a normal kid and play football. And that is what Josh does! He gets chemo in the morning and hits the football field in the afternoon to practice tackle football with his team, the Cooper City Cowboys (Florida). But that is not all this kid does.”
“You see I met Josh at a regular Saturday morning training for Team in Training of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He had gotten up early to cheer on (thank) the runners and hand out water to these folks who were helping to raise funds for this charity; a charity whose contributions have funded much of the research that has saved his life this far. He and his family engage in a host of charitable activities that support research, treatment and care of children going through cancer and other illness, including the founding of Emmy’s Heart, an organization that serves to bring joy to hospitalized children undergoing treatment. Everyday Josh continues to educate the community on living with cancer and raising hope for more than remission. In him we can see the future. He is the face of hope and determination … We remain hopeful and determined for a cure. I salute you Joshie and one day I hope he will wave to me while I sit with his mom (also one of my heroes) and pop and cheer him on from the sidelines when he takes on the NFL … without his chemo port and with cancer a distant memory.”
You are undoubtedly a hero in our book, Josh and we look forward to watching you in the NFL one day, too!
Donate to the Jay Fund in honor of Josh Pita or in honor of your hero! Every dollar makes a difference, when you have a child with cancer.