BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, and one metro Atlanta teenager is showing what it means to face a life-changing diagnosis with courage and determination.
Fourteen-year-old Xander Bickers was a healthy three-sport athlete when what seemed like a routine basketball injury turned into something much more serious.
“I had a sports injury from a basketball game, and it just didn’t heal,” Xander said.
What doctors eventually discovered was osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer.
Xander’s father, Danny Bickers, told Channel 2’s Lori Wilson that the diagnosis came as a devastating shock.
“It was a big shock to us both, but I have to give it to him. He handled it better than I did,” Danny said.
Doctors say Xander’s story is a common one among osteosarcoma patients.
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“It often gets misdiagnosed initially as a sports injury,” said Dr. Katie Sutton, one of Xander’s physicians.
“You’ll present with pain, you’ll go to the doctor, they’ll have you do physical therapy and other things, and when it doesn’t get better over time, folks realize there’s more going on. Then you’ll get imaging, and you’ll figure it out.”
The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta sees about 500 new pediatric cancer patients every year.
In Xander’s case, doctors removed the tumor and replaced his knee and about eight inches of bone. He’s now undergoing chemotherapy while starting his freshman year of high school.
Despite the challenges, Xander is focused on returning to the activities he loves, including spending time with friends, playing in the school band and eventually getting back on the court.
“I really want to get back to my sports because that’s one of my favorite things to do,” Xander said.
His family says they are grateful the cancer was caught relatively quickly.
“We were lucky that it was found as quick as it was and that they got us to the right place to deal with this,” Danny said.
On the toughest days, Xander says he draws strength from his faith, family, friends and fellow patients at Children’s.
“Being able to get it out does help a lot,” he said.
His father has a message for other families facing similar battles.
“Just keep your faith. It’s tough.”
Xander’s goal is simple: get healthy and one day return to playing basketball.
Every year, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta cares for approximately 10,000 children, making it one of the nation’s largest pediatric oncology programs.
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