Thank you for supporting me and the more than 300,000 kids worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. By sharing the gifts of your time, talent and money with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, you're supporting research to give all kids with cancer a better chance for a cure. Derek is a senior in high school. He is active in choir, theater, and robotics. He is a fun-loving, easy going wonderful boy who has a strong and positive spirit. In mid November, 2015, while participating in a scene in an Alice in Wonderland production, Derek's femur gave way and he fell. In the subsequent surgery, our surgeon didn't like the look of the bone and did a biopsy. The rest is a whirlwind. While this is not how he planned to spend his senior year, Derek has stayed amazingly strong! We have been blessed with a wonderful team of healthcare providers at OHSU, and great support from family and friends. Derek is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy. He had the tumor and top 7 1/2 inches of his left femur removed in January, 2016. They put in a prosthetic bone. Amazing technology! Cancer is hard. His nausea and recovery from surgery has made it difficult to attend school. He is finishing his high school requirements online and will walk with his graduating class this June.