Antonio’s Hope For All Cancer Kids
Photo Credit: Antonio Santos/ Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
In November of 2015, Antonio Santos was just a normal teenager when he began to experience pains in his leg. Because Antonio was active in sports, his parents first attributed his complaints to soccer. However, his leg soon appeared to swell, and the concerned parents took their son to his doctor. The pediatrician referred the family to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where they discovered a tumor in his leg. Antonio was diagnosed with the rare bone cancer Ewing Sarcoma. The tumor had already spread from his ankle to his hip and even into his lungs. The doctors prescribed an aggressive round of treatments to attack the cancer.
Soon after his tumors did shrink but the battle was not over. Antonio said at the time, “Having cancer is life-changing. You could have the perfect life and be happy every day and all of a sudden something happens to you, you feel grateful for everything else. You feel grateful for everything you have and everything you missed. I feel more connected to my friends and family.” In 2015, Antonio ultimately passed away due to the illness at age 18. His parents continue to be involved in cancer organizations in his honor.
