Letter from Derick’s father, John

Derick’s dad here. I wanted to thank you for this rather awesome program. It gives Derick a huge lift to know that the world cares this much about him!

John Schubert

Letter from Derick

My name is Derick Schubert, I live in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. In October 2007, when I was 18, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor, a grade 2 pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma. I had surgery, and was cancer-free for six months. Then I had two more surgeries in July 2008, and the tumor was reclassified as a grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma. I followed with radiation and a year if chemotherapy. I went away to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in January 2009, but had to drop out because of my treatment after a month, and went to community college locally. My tumor persisted and I entered a chemotherapy trial for Sutent at the National Institute of Health, but the trial failed after a month, and I am now planning a fourth surgery.

I love doing kung fu and tai chi at my local center, riding my bike, spending time with my friends and family, playing the drums, and now learning to play guitar on my new strat! I love music, I think it is such a great form of expression, and I’m so glad the Blue Star Connection is here for people who can use a bright spot in their lives!

Hey Colin, thanks so much for letting me know about this great program! You are a great guy and I hope I get to meet you!

-Derick