By Luis Fabregas
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
John Challis delivers the lineup card before a Pirates game June 25 at PNC Park. Christopher Horner/Tribune-Review
The courage never faded.
Until the end, John Challis managed to teach, provoke and inspire with words that prove wisdom doesn't come with age.
The 18-year-old's motto: Courage + Believe = Life.
"People die in their 90s and don't get to leave that gift," said his mother, Gina Challis. "That's very special."
John Challis, the Beaver County teenager who used his illness to spread an uplifting message of hope and optimism, died Tuesday afternoon at his home in Freedom.
"He's at rest now," said his father, Scott Challis. "It was a long, hard battle."
Challis was surrounded by his parents and his sister, Lexie.
"He was comfortable, no pain," his father said.
When he was diagnosed with liver cancer in June 2006, doctors at Children's Hospital gave Challis about six months to live. He defied the odds and vowed to fight, even trying a new chemotherapy drug in the last month of his life.
Throughout his illness, he became disarmingly candid about his views on life. He was often blunt but always levelheaded, once writing on a Pirates dry board in the team locker room: "Have fun. That's why we play baseball."
"He just says what's from his heart," his mother said July 15 in an interview with the Trib. "That's why people are drawn to him."
His father said prior to John's death, his son struck a chord with people because he never measured his words.
"I like to be politically correct, but John tells it like it is," Scott Challis said.
John's close friend, Steve Wetzel, said he was drawn to Challis by his contagious smile. It almost never left his face, even during the worst times of his illness.
"He just has such a happy-go-lucky personality," said Wetzel, 32, the baseball coach at Freedom High School. "He taught me what is now my message -- to live life to its fullest, whether you are healthy or sick. To be appreciative and be affectionate toward people."
Wetzel was instrumental in helping Challis found the Courage For Life Foundation, intended to motivate young cancer patients who are facing uncertainty.
Wetzel likes to tell the story of how Challis beat the odds April 11 by pinch-hitting at a baseball game between Freedom and Aliquippa high schools. Challis hit a line drive to right field, prompting cheers even from the opposing team.
"It was probably the best moment in my sports career," Wetzel said.
Wetzel, who is getting married in September, asked Challis to be a groomsman at his wedding.
"He will be there in spirit," he said.
Wetzel said Challis changed his life and he has learned to be a better person.
"He taught me to slow my life down," he said.
John Challis spent a lot of time at Children's Hospital during his battle with liver cancer. He was diagnosed there in June 2006 and given about six months to live. He defied the odds and continued to fight.
Guy Wathen/Tribune-Review
Challis' ability to find the upside of life reached everyone from Mario Lemieux to Alex Rodriguez, major sports legends who expressed unabashed admiration for Challis. Rodriguez, the All-Star Yankee third baseman, hosted Challis at his New York apartment in early July and drove him to a ball game in his SUV.
Rodriguez told New York reporters yesterday he last spoke to Challis four or five days ago and expressed sadness to hear of his death.
"John was a huge inspiration -- not just for me, but for everybody," Rodriguez said. "He's a very brave boy. I was just proud I got to spend a day with him."
In recent weeks, Challis received calls from other sports personalities, including Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche.
"Obviously, I knew it was getting bad. It's depressing. It makes you realize how short life is and how unfair it can be," LaRoche said.
"I think what's cool is, given what he had, he chose to make the best of it and touch a lot of lives that he probably wouldn't have if this didn't happen to him.
"He got the bad end of the deal, but I think he really touched a lot of people and made at least 25 I know of, for sure, with the talk he came in and had with us."
Pirates president Frank Coonelly issued a statement on behalf of the team.
"John had every reason to complain about his situation, but he chose not to," Coonelly said. "What he did do was show unfathomable courage and great wisdom for someone so young. John's body could not win the battle with cancer, but John's tremendous spirit will live on amongst all those he and his story impacted across the country."
His parents said the celebrity status never fazed Challis, who remained humble and unpretentious.
"I don't feel like I'm inspiring people," John said July 15. "It's just me. I don't know any other way."
Carol May, a Children's Hospital nurse who manages a program for children facing terminal illnesses, said Challis' message of hope will help his family as they grieve.
"He taught a lot of people how to live while you are dying," May said. "The way he touched people will help them remember the type of person he was.
"It's never easy for parents to lose their children. They have a special gift by what he has done and what he has said and what he has taught others."
Despite his optimism, Challis was aware there was nothing he could do to control the physical pain caused by his cancer.
"It's in God's hands," he said.
Yesterday, as he finished funeral plans, Scott Challis expressed pride toward his only son and thanked several friends who stuck by Challis: Adam Rose, Karen Roman, Joe Signori, Jackie Knopp and Wetzel.
Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
Thursday and Friday at Noll Funeral Home, 333 Third St., Beaver. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter and Paul Church in Beaver.
Luis Fabregas can be reached at lfabregas@tribweb.com or 412-320-7998.
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