Meet ASK Kid Jack

Jack is a 19-year-old with a big heart, a competitive spirit, and a love for games. He does it all– board games, card games, and especially Uno, a game in which he proudly calls himself “vicious.”” But beyond his playful personality, Jack has faced a serious health challenge: a diagnosis of myxoid liposarcoma at age 13. Jack has shown resilience, positivity, and a desire to help others through it all.

Jack’s journey began on Christmas Eve of 2019, when he started experiencing chest pains. “He wasn’t feeling well and was complaining of chest pain that morning,” recalls his mom, Lis. At first, the family thought it might be something minor like bronchitis. But after a visit to urgent care, Jack was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. “Everything was just kind of a whirlwind from there,” Lis shares.

Following surgery and a month-long hospital stay, Jack received his diagnosis: myxoid liposarcoma. “We went about a year just kind of watching and waiting after the first surgery,” Lis explains. Over the following months, Jack underwent a second surgery to remove the chest-wall lining and multiple smaller tumors; this was followed by a year of chemotherapy and radiation. Today, Jack is in the midst of another round of chemotherapy and continues to go through regular scans every three months to monitor his health.

Jack’s treatment journey has been long and challenging. From multiple surgeries to rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, the process has required flexibility, perseverance, and an enormous amount of support. “It’s an ever-evolving process,” Lis reflects. “Some days we don’t know what’s going to happen from one day to the next.” Despite this, Jack remains positive and engaged, balancing his treatments with school and activities whenever possible.

ASK became a part of Jack’s journey a few years after his diagnosis, helping the family coordinate care closer to home. “They worked with our local hospital in Roanoke so he could do treatment here instead of traveling back and forth to Durham every few weeks,” Lis explains. Through ASK, Jack met support groups in person and attended teen events, which have been crucial for his emotional well-being.

One memorable event for Jack was the Teen Mingle & Jingle at the Hotel Roanoke, where he could enjoy Christmas festivities with peers who understood his experience.

“For a couple of hours, he didn’t have to think about the news he got or anything that was going on. He was just around friends and had a good time,” Lis shares. Beyond events, ASK has also supported the family with school accommodations and guidance, helping Jack manage his studies and plan for college.

Now 19, Jack demonstrates resilience, compassion, and a desire to give back. “Even if it’s not a teen event, he wants to go and help out with the younger kids,” Lis says. “It’s his way of giving back and finding a release.” Outside of helping others, Jack enjoys games, time with friends, and being a typical teen whenever possible.

Jack’s story is a reminder that childhood cancer affects more than just the patient—it touches families and communities. With the support of ASK, Jack has not only navigated his treatment with strength and positivity but has also found ways to connect with and support other kids facing similar challenges.