Matthew Carlton Survived Childhood Cancer
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Matthew Carlton was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 1997, but the now 17-year-old is preparing to enter his senior year of high school and is focusing on music, The Naples Daily News reports.
Carlton recently celebrated his 10th anniversary of cancer remission, and has been succeeding in everything he has attempted since beating the disease as a child.
He is involved in several activities including writing and composing his own music, volunteering at a local animal shelter, playing in his school's orchestra and karate where he is a second degree black belt.
"From a parent's point of view, you're scared to death. We didn't go to a mall or a movie theater for two and half years, and for him to go on to get his second degree black belt in karate, and achieve everything he has in life, is quite an accomplishment," his father Jim told the news source.
According to the American Cancer Society, ALL accounts for 74 percent of leukemia cases in children ages 19 and younger. The illness is slightly more common in kids between age 2 and 4. This form of leukemia originates in the lymphoid cells of the bone marrow.
The five-year survival rate for children diagnosed with the illness is more than 80 percent.
The ACS is a useful resource for individuals who are diagnosed with any form cancer. The organization provides information on living with the disease and how to manage treatment. They list support groups and programs for survivors and those coping with the condition, as well as tips on embracing a healthy lifestyle.
Carlton recently celebrated his 10th anniversary of cancer remission, and has been succeeding in everything he has attempted since beating the disease as a child.
He is involved in several activities including writing and composing his own music, volunteering at a local animal shelter, playing in his school's orchestra and karate where he is a second degree black belt.
"From a parent's point of view, you're scared to death. We didn't go to a mall or a movie theater for two and half years, and for him to go on to get his second degree black belt in karate, and achieve everything he has in life, is quite an accomplishment," his father Jim told the news source.
According to the American Cancer Society, ALL accounts for 74 percent of leukemia cases in children ages 19 and younger. The illness is slightly more common in kids between age 2 and 4. This form of leukemia originates in the lymphoid cells of the bone marrow.
The five-year survival rate for children diagnosed with the illness is more than 80 percent.
The ACS is a useful resource for individuals who are diagnosed with any form cancer. The organization provides information on living with the disease and how to manage treatment. They list support groups and programs for survivors and those coping with the condition, as well as tips on embracing a healthy lifestyle.
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