IN HONOR OF JOHN CHALLIS Full Story Here

Robin Rombach/Post-Gazette
U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire gives Scott Challis, right, a proclamation naming the post office in Freedom, Beaver County, in honor of his son John, who died of cancer at age 18 in 2008.  

This website is dedicated to The John Challis Courage for Life Foundation; a foundation established in May 2008 to provide sporting opportunities for student athletes with life- threatening illnesses. At the age of 16, John Challis was diagnosed with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), an adult form of liver cancer. He was diagnosed at Stage 4 of this cancer (which had already spread to his lungs) and survived an amazing 26 months of life after aggressive chemotherapy treatments.

John’s outlook on life was one of true inspiration. He stated that God had given him this disease because he was strong enough to handle it and felt that he could help others by spreading his message of courage.

One of John’s quotes that he said repeatedly was:

It’s not how many breaths you take, it is what you do with each breath you do take.

John did plenty with each of his daily breaths especially when he was sick. He had wonderful sporting opportunities presented to him during his fight with cancer, and he made it known that he wanted to provide the same experiences for other teenage athletes with life threatening illnesses involved in school sponsored interscholastic sports; thus, the formation of this foundation!

When John was asked in June 2008 how he would like to be remembered, he pause…and then said, “Maybe some guys sitting around….and someone says, ‘Remember John Challis? …he was someone who tried his best no matter what he was doing.’” And that is John’s message—“just for people to always do their best, no matter what they’re doing or how stupid it might seem. And to remember no matter what, there will always be a reward no matter how small it is.”

John was a determined, positive and happy young man who inspired many lives. Please help us continue this inspiration by visiting our website often for more information concerning our foundation.

The official registration and financial information of John Challis Courage for Life Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999.  Registration does not imply endorsement.

John Challis was a junior at Freedom High School, Freedom, PA when he was diagnosed with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in June 2006. We have a wonderful story to tell regarding John and his positive outlook on life. Although John lost this battle to cancer on August 19, 2008, we want to tell his story to everyone, young and old, of how to live life to its fullest. Below you will find excerpts from an article written in May 2008 from Pittsburgh Post Gazette writer Mike White. This passage will introduce you to John and his mission. Please spend time on our site to learn more about John, his message and how you to can help live life to its fullest!

It's been almost two years since John found out about his cancer. He knows the date like a birthday. June 23, 2006.
He discovered only recently that doctors didn't expect him to last through that first summer. "To me, that's already an accomplishment," he said.

In the first few months after the cancer discovery, John's father, Scott, would get up in the middle of the night, peek into his son's bedroom and see him wide awake, staring at the ceiling.

"He would just be thinking," the elder Challis said. "He's always been one who had to try and find an answer for everything. He wants to figure things out."

Through his own thoughts and through his deep Catholic beliefs, John believes he has "figured it out." He answers questions with maturity, courage and dignity, traits that have become his trademarks.

"When the doctors told him a few weeks ago about how the cancer was winning, he had a lot of questions about what it was going to be like and about being comfortable. Later on, he broke down with me and you know what he did? He apologized. He was upset because he felt like he was letting everyone down who had been praying for him."

When asked where he gained his wisdom, he answered, "Through cancer."

He regularly wears his Freedom baseball hat. Under the bill of the cap is his name, plus this line: "COURAGE + BELIEVE = LIFE."

We have a unique coach-player relationship. Mr. Wetzel invited John to be part of the team a year ago and John calls the coach one of his best friends. We talk every day, at least on a cell phone, and go to lunch together once a week.

"The kid has changed my life, I cry for him just about every day. I'm 32 and I'm getting married in September. You know what he told me the other day? He told me to save him a seat in the front row of the church, because even if he's not there, he'll be there in spirit.

"He just keeps doing things and saying things that are just unbelievable. I know our team will never forget this season because of Johnny."

The two want to start a foundation in John's name for young cancer patients.

"Even if [the foundation] is something that can help only one kid or one family, to see people in a different way like I have, it will be worth it," John said. "Maybe it will help younger people who haven't gotten to see the finer things in life that I got to see."

Article Written By Mike White
Writer, Pittsburgh Post Gazette

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This website is dedicated to The John Challis Courage for Life Foundation; a foundation established in May 2008 to provide sporting opportunities for student athletes with life- threatening illnesses. At the age of 16, John Challis was diagnosed with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), an adult form of liver cancer. He was diagnosed at Stage 4 of this cancer (which had already spread to his lungs) and survived an amazing 26 months of life after aggressive chemotherapy treatments.

John’s outlook on life was one of true inspiration. He stated that God had given him this disease because he was strong enough to handle it and felt that he could help others by spreading his message of courage.

One of John’s quotes that he said repeatedly was:

It’s not how many breaths you take, it is what you do with each breath you do take.

The official registration and financial information of John Challis Courage for Life Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999.  Registration does not imply endorsement.