CANONSBURG, Pa. — Senior night at Canon McMillan High School took on an extra meaning Friday night with the recognition of star basketball player Luke Blanock who has been battling cancer for over a year.
After Blanock was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a soft tissue and bone cancer, in December 2013, the community rallied around him, holding several “Luke Strong” nights during the Canon McMillan High School boys’ basketball games.
He’s both a competitor off and on the basketball court, but his biggest challenge by far has been his fight with cancer.“It was about not letting myself believe that I was, you know, a cancer patient. I didn't want to let my body believe that,” said Blanock.The diagnosis, he said, came as a complete shock.
Doctors came up with an aggressive plan: Surgery, followed by 14 rounds of chemotherapy, 31 radiation treatments and more chemotherapy.
“There were too many. I can't even think of which one I can say was the worst,” said Janice Blanock, Luke Blanock’s mother.
Luke Blanock wasn’t able to play for the Big Macs for the rest of the season, but he stayed positive by going to school and staying active.
Inspired by his bravery, Luke Blanock’s friends started wearing shirts and posting signs with the phrase, “#LukeStrong.”
“He's just a champ. He rolls with the punches. He’s brave, thoughtful, is very mature and that comes across pretty immediately,” said Children's Hospital Hematology/Oncology Dr. Erika Friehling.
One year after his surgery, Luke Blanock returned to the basketball court.
Just a few days later, on his mother’s birthday, Friehling revealed the results of his PET scan, which showed that his cancer is in remission.
“That was the most exciting gift, and it probably was a miracle,” said Janice Blanock.
Luke Blanock will graduate from Canon McMillan High School this year. He said he hopes to go to college in the fall to study finance.
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