I Was Picked

by Howard Shapiro

  On March 3, 1993, eight weeks before he passed away from bone cancer, Jim Valvano was awarded the inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the first annual ESPN ESPY Awards. He mentioned during his acceptance speech that he was starting the V Foundation for Cancer Research. To date, the V Foundation has given over $130 million to more than 120 facilities across the United States, with the goal of finding a cure for cancer.

  For the transcript and video of his amazing ESPY Awards speech, go to http://www.jimmyv.org/about-us/remembering-jim/jimmy-v-espy-awards-speech/.

  Similarly inspired, the John Challis Courage for Life Foundation was established in May 2008 to provide sporting opportunities for student athletes with life-threatening illnesses. To date, thirteen recipients have been able to have sporting experiences, providing them with lifelong memories. For more information, visit http://www.courageforlifefoundation.org.

  On August 19, 2009 (one year to the day that John passed away), President Barack Obama signed into law an act of Congress stating that the United States Post Office in Freedom, Pennsylvania be named after John. This is Public Law 111-51. This was a bill that Congressman Jason Altmire introduced. There was a 44-cent stamp with John’s picture on it unveiled at the ceremony.

  The Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania put a display of John in their Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum area.

  There are three different WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) awards named after John. The MAC (Midwestern Athletic Conference) also named an award after John, and the Beaver County Times Athlete of the Year is named after John too.

  Freedom High School’s baseball field has a sign that hangs from left field; it reads “Forever In Our Hearts” and includes John’s No. 11 embossed over the silhouette of a baseball.

  Country singer-songwriter Jessica McNear wrote a song about John called “Just Believe.”

  John was especially proud of receiving the 2007 Jeff Kemerer Award. This annual award is dedicated to the memory of Jeff Kemerer, also from Freedom, Pennsylvania, who was fourteen when he passed away from a brain tumor back in the early 1970s. The award was given out by the Freedom Little Bulldogs, the youth football league that John played for when he was younger. To be on the same plaque as outstanding players like Chicago Bears and Freedom graduate Jim (Jimbo) Covert was such a honor. The award was special because it was about John and who he was, and not all about sports.

  Joanna Jaworowski (Aunt Jodo)

  Among all of these sayings and quotes and inspirations I think the one lesson that really hit me at age thirty-nine at John’s death was that no matter who you are, everyone has a cross to bear. And no matter how small or light or how big and heavy that cross, it truly is significant to that individual at that time in their life. It is not to be judged or made small ever, because it is their cross. My cross was heavy, of course; I lost a fabulous nephew here on earth. But look at the legend he has left, the lives he has touched and changed, the young people he has inspired. That is a blessing of which I am quite grateful and proud! Frankly, I am a better person because of him and his teachings. John affected me just like he did many, many others. He was able to move me emotionally because he made me feel. He instantly connected with viewers’ emotions because of his ability to make you feel real. And it makes you think that this cancer could happen to you, and would you be able to handle it with the same amount of dignity and strength?

  John’s Eulogy (Joe Signore, August 23, 2008)

  Today, as I stand before you, I pray that my words are God’s words. And that the ears of all who hear may be open to find great joy and comfort through a simple message that has grasped a Nation led by the very simple life of John Challis. With all the people John Challis has touched these past two years and throughout his eighteen years of life, it doesn’t seem fair that only I get to stand before you to eulogize one of Christ’s greatest soldiers.

  No movie will ever detail or give justice to what this young man has accomplished in such a short time. And with respect to Mike White, the Sports Writer of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, whom I believe wants to write a book about [John]; I must say that John wrote his own story upon our hearts.

  Each of us has shared precious moments with John and those should remain shared by the ones who have experienced them. Besides, the word “eulogy” means to “give high praise” and I believe this will be an easy task to accomplish. Those stories will be greatly needed in the days and years ahead of us. Whenever I spent time with John, it seems that all he wanted to do was drive around and talk. The majority of the conversation was based on his questions to me about death, about his family’s well-being when he is gone and about the God he was serving. Approximately three months ago, John made it clear to me that he wanted something done at his funeral. This has remained “a secret” until today.

  John was not “supernatural”; he was a human being who led a very simple life. We have all shared in this simplicity as we all know his tuxedo for the past three months has been a pair of striped, oversized Fruit of the Looms. He looked fresh out of GQ. It was him. It was who he was and we loved him for that!

  John was not a “super hero”; he could not change into Superman nor could he string himself with a web from building to building to save a damsel in distress. His only “power” was a crooked smile and a will to live and . . . for some reason . . . it worked. There was nothing magical about that . . . only genuine. You knew he was real.

  Since the time my family has personally met John, many paths of our friends, cousins, and relatives have crossed the path of John Challis, who seems to have lived the same destinations of our Lord.

  While Christ experienced a triumphal entry into Jerusalem shortly before his crucifixion, John Challis . . . by the goodness of the employees of the Beaver County Courthouse . . . had a triumphal entry into his ministry as a cancer stricken teen walked between a lined hallway of givers and prayer warriors to catch a glimpse. No TV or other media was present. Just a look on his face that stated “Thank you. I shall overcome.”

  Jesus fed a multitude of people with two fish and five loaves of bread. John, with a diagnosis of cancer and an attitude greater than death, fed a Nation of people starving for a real life hero full of God’s faith. In both cases, somehow, some miraculous way, there was enough for everyone with a lot left over and more to take home and share.

  Jesus Christ suffered on the Cross for our sins so that we may have Eternal Life. Biblically we can say “Death where is thou sting? Oh, grave, where is your victory?”

  John Challis suffered a rare disease for the hope eternal of those who suffer the same.

  His motto being “Courage + Believe = LIFE.”

  People . . . We have walked and talked, cried and laughed, played with and played against, a twenty-first-century David . . . who, with just COURAGE, BELIEF and a WILL TO LIVE, slew this modern-day Goliath called cancer. God’s Word says that with the “faith the size of a mustard seed, you can tell that mountain to move.” The day John was diagnosed with his rare liver cancer, his first question to his doctor was “What are we going to do about this?” followed almost immediately by “well, let’s get going.” I believe at that moment, the mountain began to shake.

  Young people . . . I have seen your tears the last few days and it touches my heart. Know that the shortest verse in the Bible is two words . . . “JESUS WEPT.” He, himself, wept at the tomb of his beloved friend, Lazarus.

  That is the story of John Challis, as well. God picked a simple man from a simple family from a simple town called Freedom, Pennsylvania. When the Evil One came knocking and requested to stricken a child of God with cancer, God chose John Challis at the foundation of this world as His soldier for this battle . . . already knowing that he was “battle ready” and armed with the charisma of a King. God’s glory was about to shine and John, miraculously by his faith, and his choice and his will to live . . . turned cancer into a golden opportunity. As each ounce slipped from his body . . . this C
OURAGE and BELIEF kept growing and growing and growing. And today, we celebrate that victory.

  We may think of John’s blessings as “earthly gifts” such as his cruises and his meetings and encounters with famous people and athletes. And they were blessings. But all of us know that he knew that his true blessing was the many lives he was touching. John was never overmatched by anyone, regardless of their earthly status, and he was not real comfortable in the spotlight. By his unselfish love for people, he became a media magnet because he was real. Because you could bank on a great answer . . . because the truth is always refreshing to hear.

  There is a rule of thumb in the world of attorneys . . . “DON’T ASK YOUR CLIENT A QUESTION ON THE STAND THAT YOU DON’T ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWER TO!” And by all means, don’t ask John Challis a question unless you are prepared for the truth!

  ASK THE MANAGER OF THE YANKEES! When asked how it felt to be standing by the world’s richest athletes, John said “It’s okay. I’m just glad to get my message out.”

  The magnitude of his ministry on earth cannot be comprehended in our human brains. John did not even understand the question “Why him?” He knew no other way to live nor would he accept any other way regardless of the circumstance.

  Think back on the precious moments spent with him. Has anyone EVER heard him complain? Has anyone EVER known him to concentrate on himself? What we all witnessed on the ESPN [Outside the Lines] segment, can you recall the moment he held his arm up to his shoulder . . . almost timidly . . . and very genuinely . . . stating he “. . . couldn’t live knowing cancer got the best of me.” WE DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH JOHN SUFFERED BECAUSE HE SIMPLY DID NOT REVEAL TO ANYONE HOW MUCH HE SUFFERED.

  I can share this with all of you . . . I am honored to have been holding the hand of John Challis while God gently and peacefully took hold of the other and I can attest atop the highest mountain that without a flinch, without a struggling breath, without a whimper, without a trace of his last breath being his last . . . he went home to be with his Lord and was greeted with the words we all want to hear . . . “WELL DONE, MY FAITHFUL SERVANT.”

  To put his earthly work into perspective as he would want it . . . John has scored a rushing TOUCHDOWN miles longer than the NFL record of 99 yards held by his fellow Beaver Countian, Tony Dorsett; he has hunted an animal so large that no taxidermist could possibly mount it nor could any wall hold it; he has caught a fish so large that no scale can weigh it; and he has hit a home run that cannot be measured until it lands many light years away from today.

  Yes. John Challis was a Bulldog beyond the Freedom School Mascot. His attitude was stronger than death and his Christ-like love was bigger than his life. Freedom, Pennsylvania has now become Freedom, U-S-A. Because of #11.

  About two years ago, Bruce Springsteen lost one of his band members to cancer. He wrote a song that was not given a title and does not sing the last line of this song in honor of his friend. It simply signifies that he will forever live in his spirit. Upon hearing this song for the first time, and because of my Christian faith, I was a little unsettled at one line in this song that says

  “They say you can’t take it with you, but I think that they’re wrong.” Springsteen quickly reasons his thought by following that line with: “Because when I woke up this morning, something big was gone.”

  The BIG is not gone. It is simply dispersed piece by piece in our hearts among all of us . . .

  Scott Challis

  John was not only my son but my travel companion, my hunting and fishing buddy, my partner in golf, and my helper in the garage. It wasn’t until after John got sick that I realized what true courage and strength were: someone who can get up out of bed every day, even when they are in pain; someone who knows that God has a plan for them; someone who doesn’t sweat the small stuff; and finally, someone who smiles at everyone who walks by. John always asked me repeatedly why people “make a fuss over him.” As difficult as that was to answer, I know that it was because John made a true impact on so many lives, as he did on mine. John, if you were here today, I would say, “That’s my boy . . . the boy I am so proud to call my son.” I once did not understand why my child was the one to get sick, but now I am beginning to realize why he was picked.

  Mom’s Final Thoughts

  The short life of John Challis has touched my life so much. He has taught me to enjoy cooking and hunting shows. He has taught me that he can show up in any newspaper or any TV or radio talk show, and even be on ESPN sports. He has taught me to watch the news on TV more because he might be on it, even after his passing. He has taught me to stay calm in front of people or TV cameras (I still need to work on that one). He has taught me to have humor in my life and to laugh a lot. He has taught me [that] yes, family is very important, and so are friends. He even taught me to enjoy riding on a golf cart. He has taught me to follow your dreams, no matter how big or small they may seem. He has taught me to enjoy the simple things in life, like a quiet moment or just sitting in the sun. He has taught me to believe in yourself and to have great faith in God because you are never alone, and he always had a way to carry us when we couldn’t. He has taught me as his mom that when I was teaching him about love and life, he was listening and learning. John knew the love I have for him and the great memories of our family that no one could ever take away. Also his wonderful smile will stay in my heart forever. I am so proud of my son! I never thought he would teach me how to live and die with such grace and class.

  Most of all, he taught me that COURAGE + BELIEVE = LIFE.

  He is always in my heart.

  His mom,

  Gina

  “I can live with it, but it ain’t going to go away . . . never will. But I can live the way I’m living for the rest of my life, and I’m fine with that. I’m strong enough to do that. But I couldn’t have lived the rest of my life knowing cancer got the best of me.

  “If I’m mad at anything in this, it’s that I’m not going to be able to have a son, I’m not going to be able to get married and have my own house. Those are the things I’m mad about. But not dying.”

  —John Challis