“And now I’m standing in front of you cancer-free,” beamed Rashawn King at the starting line of the 2015 Dozen Donut Dash.
Flashing his thousand-watt smile, he shone with pure charisma. But Rashawn’s past battle with cancer also shows that great strength lives within him.
In 2010, 17-year-old Rashawn was issued a death sentence. The doctors told him that his body had fallen prey to leukemia, leaving him only 24 to 48 hours left to live.
This is the harsh reality of many cancer victims. However, Rashawn was raised to be a fighter, and he was determined not to lose this battle. Rather than let his fate be controlled by the cancer in his body, Rashawn endured the onslaught of pills and chemotherapy that challenged his weakened body and mental state. In just three months, Rashawn went from being a 175-pound athlete to a 135-pound hospital patient. Throughout his fight, he relied fiercely on his tenacity and took refuge in the warmth and prayers of his family and friends. Eventually, Rashawn pummeled the cancer into remission and snatched his life back.
This fighter also has a beautiful heart. Originally, he told the Make-A-Wish Foundation that he wanted to meet Miami Heat’s LeBron James. Although he fully deserved his wish, he decided instead to give back to those who had lent him their strength and support by providing a Chick-Fil-A meal for every student and faculty member at Middle Creek High School. His selflessness was so inspiring that his first wish was also granted, and our hero got to meet one of his own heroes.
Even today, Rashawn continues to shine and give back. He started his own nonprofit called Second Chances to Rise, where he travels to different schools to motivate and inspire those who are severely ill or have life-threatening illnesses.
With the proceeds from the Dozen Donut Dash, more and more inspiring individuals will be given their second chances to rise up from their battles with cancer. In the face of cancer, the Dozen Donut Dash and stories like Rashawn’s remind us to come together as a community to share the burden and the battle. Whether you are battling cancer yourself or have witnessed the toll that cancer takes on a loved one, remember that you are not alone and that we will all continue to fight this common enemy. For years to come, the Dozen Donut Dash will continue to attract survivors and supporters alike to join in the war against cancer.
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