Deadspin: John Challis

Raise A Glass Tonight For John Challis

Rick Chandler — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:40:28 EDT

John Challis, the Freedom High School student whose story we have followed here through an excellent series of articles in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, succumbed to liver and lung cancer on Tuesday at his family's home in Freedom Township, PA, at the age of 18. John first made headlines earlier this year when his baseball coach inserted him into the lineup for one final at-bat, and even though barely able to walk, let alone run, he got a single. In getting to know him a little, we have been inspired by his indomitable spirit, his sense of humor, and his perspective on life.

We learned two very important things from John Challis. Number one: "You can't let girls know that you know how to text message because they won't leave you alone." And number two: "I used to be afraid, but I'm not afraid of dying now, if that's what you want to know. Because life ain't about how many breaths you take. It's what you do with those breaths."

Freedom Teenager John Challis Dies Of Cancer [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Challis' Message Continues To Inspire

rickchand — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:00:47 EDT

Those who have been following the story of John Challis in the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette shouldn't be surprised that he's taking the country by storm. The Freedom High School (Pa.) senior, who has terminal cancer, was invited to attend Game 2 of the NHL playoff series between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh on Sunday at Mellon Arena, and even got to hang out with Mario Lemieux in his suite, along with Steelers chairman Dan Rooney and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

"My head is spinning," John said later. "This week has just been incredible and now this. It was like someone dropped me off at the wrong party. I felt like one of the kings of the city for a few minutes with those guys. I really can't think of experiencing anything better than this, except maybe going to Rome or meeting God for the first time."

And then, to prove that he's really from Pennsylvania:

As John Challis was standing between Mr. Lemieux and Mr. Rooney, he looked at them and said, "Wow. I never thought I'd be talking with two owners of sports teams in the city." "There's only one missing," Mr. Lemieux said, referring to the Pirates. John quickly replied, "Yeah, but at least the two winners are here."

John has done radio interviews with Scott Van Pelt on ESPN and Dan Patrick on Fox, and has been invited to games by the Boston Red Sox and Florida Marlins. And Roethlisberger is going to try and get him a visit to a Steelers practice. Marlins pitcher Mark Hendrickson read his story and called the Post-Gazette to set up a meeting with John.

"I read the story [on the Internet] and it was so touching and inspiring," Mr. Hendrickson said. "The date he found out he had cancer [June 23, 2006] is my birthday. As an athlete, maybe we can do something for him and his family. But he could help a lot of people, too, with his attitude. We have a lot of young guys on our team who are wide-eyed. His story and being around him could be humbling and good for them."

Penguins Honor Beaver County Teenager With Cancer [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
HS Baseball Cancer Battler Meets Mario And Big Ben [Sports by Brooks]
Perfect Game [Deadspin]

Perfect Game

rickchand — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:30:39 EDT

One of John Challis' final wishes was to get to bat in a high school baseball game. Challis, an 18-year-old senior at Freedom High School in Pennsylvania, is dying of cancer. Doctors say he might have as little as two months to live. But on April 14 he got his wish; getting an at-bat in a league game. And despite barely being able to run due to the effects of the disease, Challis got a single, and made it to first. Opposing players all take off their gloves and give him an ovation. And if that little story lifted your spirits in any way; made you a little less cynical or cranky or worn, well, he'll take it.

Yeah, Challis' story is one of courage, sadness, inspiration, hope, all of that. But to fully wrap your mind around it, you're just going to have to read it for yourself. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is following his story, and ran this amazing piece by Mike White on Sunday. If you do nothing else today, please take a look. This is one amazing kid.

All of Aliquippa's baseball players wear John's jersey number "11" on their hats. At the walk-a-thon, Aliquippa star athlete Jonathan Baldwin, a Pitt football recruit, presented him with a ball signed by Pitt players. After the walk, John addressed the crowd. "He spoke from his heart," Mr. Wetzel, the coach, said. "He said, 'I've got two options. I know I'm going to die, so I can either sit at home and feel sorry, or I could spread my message to everybody to live life to the fullest and help those in need.' After hearing that, I don't know if there were many people not crying."

His story touched me, and maybe it will do the same for you. But I'm not going to bore you further with my take on this; better that you hear it from him.

"I used to be afraid, but I'm not afraid of dying now, if that's what you want to know," he said. "Because life ain't about how many breaths you take. It's what you do with those breaths."

Teen Is Running Out Of Innings, But The Game Isn't Over [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
Cancer-Stricken Baseball Player Gets One Last Hit [SportsbyBrooks]