When my son Sam graduated from high school this summer, I had the privilege of hearing this speech given by his classmate, D’Marco Jackson. At the time, I was touched by what he had to say because of how he had responded to the challenges he had faced. In spite of a cancer diagnosis that took away his promising athletic career and consigned him to a harsh regimen of chemotherapy, he was both courageous and optimistic. His words were inspiring.
By way of the local newspaper, I gained a new appreciation for just how courageous this incredible young man is. When he delivered that speech, he had just found out that he had suffered a relapse that would require undergoing a bone marrow transplant. He didn’t know when, or even if, a matching donor would be found. He was also advised to put his plans to attend Temple University on hold. With all this to discourage him, D’Marco still went on to give an incredible testament to life.
If you haven’t watched the video yet, please do. There’s no way I could adequately describe what he had to say and how well he said it.
D’Marco is scheduled to receive his bone marrow transplant tomorrow (October 23, 2015). There’s a GoFundMe page set up to help cover his medical expenses. Thoughts, prayers, and contributions for this remarkable young man would be time and money well spent.
[Update 4/20/2016]
In the early morning hours of April 19, 2016, D’Marco’s battle came to an end.
This world is made poorer by his passing, but each person touched by this extraordinary young man has been enriched. His courage in the face of enormous odds was and is a humbling example.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 New International Version (NIV)
Form Follows Function 