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North Carolina High School Athlete Battles Neuroblastoma for a Second Time

Written by Rachel Wood, Director of Marketing

After a positive COVID diagnosis followed by a swollen lymph node, North Davidson High School athlete, Gavin Hill, assumed the two were related.  But then a chest x-ray and CT scan in February discovered a tumor mass under his upper right chest.  It was neuroblastoma.

Unfortunately, this isn’t Gavin’s first fight with this ugly disease… he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2014 when he was in the 5th grade at 11 years old.  After 1.5 years of treatment, Gavin has been cancer-free and was able to get back to doing what he loves the most… playing sports.  

Gavin is currently in 11th grade and 17 years old.  He had to step back from training as starting quarterback for the football team to start cancer treatments.  But he is confident he will be back and confident he can beat cancer again so that he will fulfill his dream of playing college sports.  As he says… he will be the “Comeback Kid”.  

Gavin is inpatient this week at Levine Children’s for another round of chemo and immunotherapy treatment under the care of the Isabella Santos Foundation Rare & Solid Tumor Program. He and his family learned some positive news yesterday… his tumor genetics are favorable to target for a cure!  

Community and faith are whats holding Gavin and his family up.  At the North Davidson High School Football Conference Championship game against rival Oak Grove High School on April 9th, “G$Strong” shirts were worn and signs were waved in support of this high schooler fighting cancer.  Both teams… their players, coaches, cheerleaders, and fans all showed up in solidarity for their high school hero!

We will keep you updated on Gavin, please join us and his community in lifting him up!  

All photos courtesy of Gavin’s family.  Gavin’s football photos taken by Kim Shouse Photography.

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