Kevin Massey

war-rior (n) : a person who fights in battles and is known for having courage and skill “They are fearsome warriors.”

No matter how old you are; a mother always knows best. “My mom actually urged me to go to Stupid Cancer’s CancerCon for two years,” before Kevin Massey, now 23, finally gave in. “Now, I love going!”

“What surprised me most [about the experience] was how willing Matt and those guys are to talk to everyone.”

This idea that no one ever has to go through the diagnosis, treatment, or survivorship alone, is very important to Kevin. “The best part about being an advocate is letting [others] know that they always have someone to talk to about things.”

“There are people out there that go through a lot more than what I do.”

While Kevin may believe this to be true, being diagnosed with a Pontine Glioma at the age of 16 is hardly easy or normal.

“At the age of 16, being a three-sport-athlete in high school…to three days later not being able to move the right side of his body; hearing the dreaded words brain cancer was just the beginning of his story,” Kevin’s mom described of her son’s diagnosis in a 2015 Get Busy Living Survivor Award nomination. Kevin was runner-up for the award that year.

Quickly, Kevin lost the “ability to swallow and protect his airway.” He underwent radiation, followed by a brain hemorrhage, and then a coma. “The doctors gathered and spoke in hours, not days, of how much time [he had] left on Earth,” wrote his mom. But regardless of what faced him, “he did it with his sense of humor.”

“As he came home from the hospital 45 days later, he pushed himself to begin his journey back to independence.” Six months after Kevin was diagnosed, he returned to school. Two years later, he graduated on time with his class. After graduation, Kevin attended the University of Kentucky and managed the Men’s Basketball team.

“I would tell my pre-cancer self to cherish the little things, like walking up stairs, relationships, and most of all time with family,” said Kevin.

As if epitomizing the three years his mom used to describe him (determined, hilarious, and awe-inspiring) Kevin ended with, “I’m at the school of dreams doing things most dream about. I’m now an uncle to a handsome one-year-old. My patriots won the Super Bowl. Baseball starts and March Madness is soon. It’s beautiful outside lately. Life is good.”

Thank you, Kevin, for raising your voice for the young adult cancer community and for inspiring everyone who knows you to Get Busy Living!