AFTER A DEBILITATING DIAGNOSIS AT AGE 7, CASON CONTINUES HIS FIGHT TO HELP OTHERS

“My son, Cason’s, life story can be summed up in one word,” Angela Vandehey said. “Fight.”

As a young child, something was not quite right with Cason’s lungs. He always had a cough and as time went on, he kept declining in health and his growth slowed.

At the age of 7, after a traumatic lung biopsy, Cason and his family learned that he had Bronchiolitis Obliterans. According to doctors, this is an inflammatory obstruction of the lung's tiniest airways, called bronchioles which become damaged/inflamed leading to extensive scarring that blocks the airways.

“The diagnosis is rare, but we were told to ‘enjoy every day he felt well,’” Angela added. “Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be his only diagnosis. At age 8, they found his aorta had dilated. He’s had lung issues, heart issues, growth issues, connective tissue problems. As his mom, I dislike that his innocence was cut short by hearing difficult things from his doctors and from knowing that his life isn’t like all of his friends. Even when everything seemed to be against him, his FIGHT and zeal for life was huge.”

Cason worked hard to play and be a “normal” kid, and many times people around him had no clue what he was going through. In fact, when he was 9, Cason was granted a Make-A-Wish. 

“His wish was to play with wolverines because he said, ‘they are tiny and tough like me,’” Angela added. “Cason is very outgoing. His personality radiates joy! At his hospital appointments, it’s become tradition to leave the visit with him walking on his hands – just to bring a smile to his doctors’ and nurses’ faces. He’s had some tough doctor visits, but he leaves them with a spirit of perseverance. And he carries that fight wherever he goes.” 

Cason is now 15, and he still has mountains to climb. But thanks to his FIGHT, he’s healthier than anyone ever expected. Remarkably, as a freshman, he made it on the varsity soccer team. 

Throughout his journey, Cason says the hardest part of all that he has gone through is what is commonly known as “survivors’ guilt.” He has a difficult time putting a reason to why he’s doing well when he knows others with the same lung diagnosis aren’t. 

“Life throws curveballs, though, and shortly after making the team, we learned that his distal femur had died,” Angela added. “Instead of playing his freshman year, he faced three surgeries and a year of recovery. But he has FIGHT! Today as we are speaking, he wore his APEMAN FIGHT shirt and played his first varsity soccer game since his leg issue started.”

Cason continually shows his friends, family and classmates that FIGHT is important. 

“Without that inner fight, I don’t think he would be doing as well as he is,” said Angela. “His original diagnosis was grim, but we know is future is bright. ...but I know, he knows, his future is bright. If I had advice for anyone going through something like this, it would be to laugh. Life is never perfect, and it can be so heavy; always find something to laugh at.”

Angela and Cason say that APEMAN’s mission resonated with them immediately. To this day, they embody the never-give-up creed that APEMAN stands for. 

“APEMAN’s stories are full of hope,” Angela said. “With every struggle, there’s at least a glimmer of hope. My hope for Cason is that his struggle isn’t in vain, but can be used to inspire and motivate others.”