Metro Detroit boy, 8, winning battle against rare childhood cancer
Posted:
Updated:
By Robin Schwartz, Fox 2 News -
Jacob Pesta (Credit: myFOXDetroit.com)
COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (myFOXDetroit.com) -
Hundreds of students at a local elementary school rally to support a classmate in the fight of his life. Eight-year-old Jacob Pesta is battling a rare pediatric cancer, a thalamic brain tumor, and winning.
Doctors say the second-grader at Commerce Elementary is the first child in the United States and only the seventh in the world with this diagnosis.
Pesta was first diagnosed in 2009. Since then, he has had two craniotomies, radiation and chemotherapy. He attends physical therapy year round.
Friday, hundreds of his classmates wore yellow to cheer him on and for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
In spite of everything, Pesta is still able to come to school every day. He has gone two and a half years with no evidence of disease. Doctors say it will be another two and a half years before he is officially considered a survivor.
His mantra is "survivors never give up." With the support of his family, his little sister and his entire school, this brave little boy continues to fight.
His parents started a foundation called Jacob's Fight (www.JacobsFight.com) to raise money for pediatric research because their son doesn't want "any other children to have a brain tumor like me."
It's been a long journey, but his family says they will do whatever it takes to make sure this is a battle Pesta wins.
There is a big fundraiser Friday at the Edgewood Country Club in Commerce Township at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 at the door.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:51:26 GMT
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:22 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:22:48 GMT
A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
Monday, May 13 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:19:48 GMT
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:48 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:48:50 GMT
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction two months ago on corruption charges.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:58:41 GMT
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
Jacob Pesta (Credit: myFOXDetroit.com)
