TULSA — A Green Country teen is overcoming odds after he started his battle with cancer more than a decade ago.
The young survivor's family is celebrating with a grand gesture. Trenton sits proudly in his golden ribbon, a symbol of the battle he's won.
"I never dreamed that I was going to get a call that says he has a brain tumor," Philip Schumacker said.
Trenton was diagnosed at just 3-years-old.
"The first thing that comes to mind when you hear brain tumor is death and the fear of losing your first son," Schumacker said.
But Trenton was never afraid.
"Kids, they don't know quit," Schumacker said.
And because Trenton just wouldn't quit, his dad spray painted this huge gold reminder with a special hidden meaning.
"It's 30 feet long, he was 3-years-old when he was diagnosed," Schumacker explained. "It's 10 feet from edge of ribbon to edge of ribbon. He's 10 years clear and the center is 12 years off the front porch and that's 12 years, it's been 12 years since this journey began."
While this ribbon represents the journey their family has been through, Schumacker hopes it serves as a reminder for those who pass by.
"There's kids every where every day getting diagnosed," Schumacker said. "There's kids ever day that are losing their battles."
And a beacon of hope for those who know Trenton.
"Kids like this inspire a lot of adults to keep fighting and to keep pushing," Schumacker said.
Nearly 16,000 American children are diagnosed with cancer each year, sadly 20% of them lose their battle, according to the American Childhood Cancer Organization's website.
Visit the American Childhood Cancer Organization's website to learn more about childhood cancer.
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