Tommy is a fighter on the soccer field, achieving impressive milestones like earning his spot on Washington’s top soccer club, Crossfire and even winning the Surf Cup in San Diego this summer.
Behind Tommy’s impressive achievements lies a deeply inspiring journey. At just 10 years old, while on a family trip to Hawaii, Tommy began experiencing symptoms like nausea, throwing up, headaches and sleeplessness. His parents were very concerned, and when they returned home, they immediately took him to the doctor where Tommy was diagnosed with T-cell Leukemia.
Tommy’s diagnosis forced his family to make major changes in their life including moving closer to the children’s hospital in Seattle to receive treatment. During this time, life was very difficult for him. He wasn’t able to go to school, play sports or do things he loved most. Tommy said “ It was hard. I didn’t get to go to school or play sports and even do things I loved.”
However, soccer remained his biggest source of motivation throughout his recovery. After finishing his treatment at the age of 12 years old thankfully, Tommy slowly worked his way back into soccer, starting with some basic training. Tommy said he was able to make such a comeback by “Being consistent in things you need to do and realizing good things takes time to develop.” What began as a goal during recovery turned into a daily commitment as his strength returned. He focused on consistency and rebuilding his skills. The persistence and patience paid off as Tommy would go on and earn his place as a key player on his high school team where his work ethic and determination set him apart from other players.
His growth didn’t stop there. Through relentless effort, he went on to play for Crossfire, one of Washington’s top soccer clubs. Crossfire is known as one of the most elite boy’s soccer clubs across the nation, and the age group that Tommy sometimes plays for is ranked number 1 in the nation.
In the summer of 2025, Tommy celebrated a major victory by winning the Surf Cup with his team. This accomplishment was a powerful reminder of how far he had come and the obstacles he had overcome. Tommy’s journey not only showcases his love for soccer but also highlights his inspiring resilience in the face of adversity, motivating others like myself that, with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible. Tommy said, “[Overcoming cancer] has motivated me to make a cool story for myself and do things others weren’t able to.”
This just shows that Tommy’s journey is nothing short of remarkable and inspirational. With his determination and tough mindset Tommy overcame something most people don’t. It just shows what a hard working and determined kid he is.
