College Wrestler Beats Cancer, Continues to Compete

Meet Team Pin Cancer Member Rook Kassabaum

Rook is 19 years old and a freshman at Lincoln Community College located in Lincoln, IL. On October 2, 2012 he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Testicular Cancer that had spread to other parts of his body. At the time, he was a Senior at Olympia High School.

Rook loves to wrestle and it has been a very important part of his life since he was 11 years old. He has won many meets, including regionals. He also qualified for state his junior year. Beyond the mat, Rook is very caring, outgoing, and has a very strong faith.

He was treated in Peoria IL through St. Jude’s where he under went intense treatment. Considering his situation, Rook could not compete. Cancer had stopped him from wrestling his senior year. After under going 7 surgeries and 6 months of chemotherapy treatments and many extended hospital stays in April 2013, Rook went into remission.

He continues blood work every 6 weeks and scans every 12 weeks. He was able to make the wrestling team at Lincoln Community College this year and is now able to compete in the sport he loves.

When this first happen, Rook’s words were “God chose me for a reason and I will get through this.” With God and the Doctors help at St. Jude he is winning the biggest Match of his Life!