St. Baldrick's Day: A Teenage Cancer Survivor's Story Inspires His Classmates

When 62 students and staff members shaved their heads during a St. Baldrick's event Monday at in Palos Heights, it was with the knowledge that one of their own had triumphed over the disease they were raising money to fight.

Tyler Lukasik, 17, stood before a packed gym and told the story of his battle with cancer and the road to recovery that has lead him to this point.

Tyler’s Story

As the senior at Shepard recalled his past health struggles, he seemed eager to raise awareness of a disease that touches children as well as adults.

“In the beginning, it wasn’t supposed to be serious,” Lukasik said when interviewed before the speech, referring to an injury he sustained playing soccer in October 2009. He was kicked in the leg and weeks later, the swelling had yet to go down.

A round of specialist visits later, Lukasik was diagnosed with osteosarcoma–bone cancer.

Surgery and nine months of chemotherapy followed. Shuttling back and forth between treatment and school was a struggle. Lukasik credits his family, friends, teachers and coaches with helping him through.

“My outlook was just to prove myself to people,” Lukasik said. “Staying positive was one of the biggest things for me. It helps you to overcome.”

In June 2010, Lukasik was told he was cancer-free.  Now, nine months later, he stood Monday before a cheering crowd remembering his struggle and hoping to shine a light on the many other children who are faced with a similar battle.

“A lot of young kids have to go through it. It is a pretty terrible thing to go through,” Lukasik said.

As Lukasik spoke, his mother Michelle stood nearby. Memories flooded back as her son recounted the past years.

“It was very hard not to cry,” she said. “It was very emotional. I was very proud.”

Lukasik’s soccer coach Dustin DeFrates was the lead organizer of this year’s St. Baldrick’s event. He remembers Lukasik’s battle.

“There was a lot of the unknown at the beginning,” DeFrates said. “When it became clear how serious it was, all you can do is start to hope for the best.”

DeFrates wasn’t surprised that Lukasik was willing to open up to his fellow students.

“He is just a great kid and he takes on that responsibility well,” DeFrates said.

St. Baldrick’s

The St. Baldrick’s organization raises money for juvenile cancer research. This year, Shepard raised just less than $17,000. One of those fundraisers was sophomore Bianca Tomlinson.

Tomlinson shaved off her long hair in hopes to bring awareness.

“ I have had a lot of family members affected,” Tomlinson said. “I was really nervous about how I was going to look, but now I can’t wait.”

(Watch the video to the right to see Tomlinson post-shave.)

Lukasik took a ceremonial first swipe off the heads of many of his fellow baseball players. By the end of the event, he was left with a mohawk himself. 

Principal Josh Barron also shed his locks and was filled with pride for his students.

“It just goes to show you how we can come together as a school,” Barron said. “It is so important to make sure we do what we can to fight this horrible disease.”

Lukasik still goes in for blood tests every three months, but he views cancer as part of his past—not future. He is training to possibly play baseball this spring and narrowing down his college choices.

While the memories of newly shaved heads and a spirited assembly might stay in the minds of some, the closing lines of Lukasik’s speech might just hold the most impact.

“Through this experience, I now live by one simple sentence: Every day is a beautiful day, and thanks to all the support this school has given we can now help give many kids many beautiful days.”