Teen Dying Of Cancer Continues To Inspire Through Sports

John Challis Manages Pittsburgh Pirates For A Day

POSTED: 3:06 pm EDT June 25, 2008
UPDATED: 9:08 pm EDT June 25, 2008

PITTSBURGH -- John Challis was diagnosed with liver cancer, which has since spread to his lungs. Doctors only give the 18-year-old Beaver County man months to live.

But instead of focusing on the inevitable, Challis has become an inspiration by spreading a message of positivity -- and his sports heroes are showing their appreciation.

Challis, a recent Freedom High School graduate, hung out with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday afternoon as their honorary manager for the day.

He also got to meet some of the New York Yankees, including their All-Star shortstop, Derek Jeter. The Yanks are in the middle of a three-game series with the Pirates at PNC Park.

"It's days like this here -- another stepping stone to something I can look back on and say, 'Wow, I did it,'" Challis said. "Little things like this help keep me going."

The Pirates gave Challis an "08" team jersey with his name on it, and he gave them a pre-game speech in their locker room.

"The courage that he shows, and his message, and the unselfishness that's a part of his life -- I think it's a great message for all of us," Pirates manager John Russell said. "He gave a great talk to our players about living for each day and don't worry about tomorrow, because you never know what tomorrow is going to bring. I think it's a great message for any player, and a great message for any person."

"You know, you hear it from coaches, but to hear it from someone who has been through what he has, and as young as he is, it means the world to us," Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche said.

In recent weeks, Challis has been a guest in Penguins owner Mario Lemieux's box during a Stanley Cup playoff game at Mellon Arena, and he met future Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine when the Atlanta Braves were in town to play the Pirates.

Challis also met Steelers chairman Dan Rooney and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

While growing up, Challis said he always hoped to play sports one day. Despite his illness, he wants to make his athletic dreams come true.

Last fall, he spent a few plays with the Freedom High School football team. In the spring, when his body allowed, he participated with the school's varsity baseball team.

Now, he hopes the newly created John Challis Courage For Life Foundation will give him a way to reach people across the world with his story.

"I guess I'm just a little surprised that people don't understand how easy I think it is for a young person such as myself to see a negative situation as positive," Challis said. "I mean, I don't know if I see it as positive, but I'm not complaining about it."

Recently, Challis was named HighSchoolPlaybook.com's Student-Athlete of the Week. You can watch the video of his award presentation below.

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