Comeback kids
Real Stories. Real Battles. Remarkable Comebacks.
MASON
Photo credit: Mark Hvidsten
At just 16 years old, Mason Decker has already faced and conquered more challenges than most. Diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoblastic lymphoma at the start of his 8th-grade year, Mason endured two and a half years of intensive chemotherapy, forcing him to step away from school, sports, and social life. The treatments took a toll on his strength, endurance, and confidence, but Mason refused to let cancer define him.
With relentless determination, he fought his way back, rebuilding his body and mindset to return to the sports he loves—football and basketball. Athletics have always been more than just a game for Mason; they are a core part of his identity and a driving force in his recovery.
The Goliath Project played a crucial role in his journey, providing training support, a gym membership, and essential gear to help him regain his competitive edge. More importantly, they reinforced that he is not alone, reminding him—and others like him—that strength, perseverance, and community can overcome even the toughest battles.
havyn
Starting senior year with six college classes, Havyn is no stranger to hard work—both in and out of the classroom. A passionate advocate for literacy, Havyn was honored with the Girl Scouts Changemaker Award for their impactful book drive efforts.
Her athletic journey has been one of resilience and determination. After battling stage 2 mucinous adenocarcinoma, she has been training to join a competitive Olympic-style lifting team this winter. Thanks to support from The Goliath Project, she’s been able to push her limits, mastering new lifts and hitting personal records—including a 170 lb bench press and a 200 lb squat for the first time since chemo. She has just committed to CSBSJU for nursing and will be in their Army ROTC program next year! Havyn’s journey is a testament to strength, perseverance, and the power of community support.
Chase
Photo credit: Brinkley Dolgos
Chase Dolgos is a dedicated basketball player whose journey has been defined by resilience and determination. In March 2023, during his freshman JV baseball season, Chase was diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia after weeks of persistent illness. His battle led him to spend over a month in the PICU at Nemours Dupont Hospital, where he endured intense treatments, including chemotherapy, spinal taps, a PICC line, kidney dialysis, and more. Complications arose when he developed Avascular Necrosis (AVN), a condition caused by steroid treatments, affecting his knees and limiting his mobility.
Despite these challenges, Chase remains motivated by the unwavering support of his friends and family. With a strong will to overcome every obstacle, he continues working hard to regain his strength and return to the basketball court.
The Goliath Project has played a crucial role in his recovery, providing local training support to help him rebuild his body and confidence. Looking ahead, Chase dreams of starting his own business to support kids battling cancer, using his experience to inspire and uplift others facing similar challenges.
Marie
Marie Hanson, age 15, is a dedicated athlete who plays volleyball, basketball, and runs track. Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at age 12, she completed her last chemotherapy session on her 13th birthday. Despite battling painful joints during treatment, Marie's determination never wavered—she even played 7th grade volleyball with a port still in place.
Marie finds strength in being part of a team and is driven by the desire to push herself physically. She works hard in the gym, knowing that strength eases her joint pain and helps her support her teammates. "What motivates me is to train and work hard to push myself to be the best I can be, while thinking about the times I couldn't play and how much that sick-Marie would want me to succeed," she says.
Through strength, agility, and specialized sport training, Marie has reached a point where her resilience shines. Her journey from illness to strength is a testament to her perseverance. Looking ahead, Marie's goals are to keep improving in her sports, enjoy the game, and ensure her teammates do too.
Jack
In January 2022, we received our first nomination for a student athlete named Jack Vold. Jack is a 17 year old senior in Wabasha who loves to play football and basketball. When he was diagnosed with High Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at 11 years old, Jack’s body went under significant stress and depletion as a result of intense chemotherapy and ultimately a bone marrow transplant. He was able to return to school at the beginning of his seventh grade year but experienced difficulties with weakness, broken bones, and loss in stamina. We were so excited at the opportunity to work with Jack and come alongside him to accomplish his goal of playing football his senior year! Jack played hard and well for his final season and we were thrilled to play a part in his success. According to Jack, his favorite part of working with our trainers was the fact that there was an environment of comfortability around the trainers and he felt supported in learning how to complete his specific work outs. When asked about advice he’d give to student athletes who are just starting out in their recovery, he said, “I would say that it is easy to give up but you just have to keep trying your best and also do what’s best for you.” We are so proud of all of the work that Jack has accomplished and cannot wait to see him thrive in the future!
Clara
Hodgkins Lymphoma was the last thing that 14 year old Clara expected to hear after going to the doctor and having a check in over her depleted energy. She’s a multi-sport athlete, participating in basketball, cross country and soccer, Clara has worked hard to gain her strength back. While her treatment was exhausting and grueling, she received the best news that as of January 5th, she is cancer free! The Goliath Project has been so excited to see Clara grow and flourish in her recovery. Clara continues to work with her trainers and is seeing improvement as her body gets a little stronger each day. We can’t wait to see how far she’ll go!
Graeme
Graeme was a 15 year old volleyball player from Minneapolis who’s world was flipped upside down with a leukemia diagnosis in January 2022. Following his diagnosis, he spent 30 days at Children’s hospital before being able to go home. While he will remain in treatment until May 2024, he has made up his mind to push himself to get back to a place physically where he can play volleyball next year. Like so many others, his medications have caused weight loss and weakness in his muscles so his focus is to build his stamina and strength back up. With the Goliath Project, Graeme has been working with trainers at ETS and is seeing improvement and results in getting his body back! He is back at school this fall after completing the spring semester at home which will give him time to be with his friends again and build community. We are so proud of all the hard work and dedication Graeme is putting into his training!
Brylee
Brylee has been a dedicated competitive cheerleader for over a decade, known for her strength as a powerful tumbler and base. As a member of her high school cheer team, she had dreams of continuing her passion in college. She worked incredibly hard to be in peak shape, pushing through tiredness and body aches—signs of an illness she didn’t yet know she had.
In November 2023, after not recovering from what seemed like the flu, Brylee was diagnosed with leukemia. The timing was devastating, coming just a month before competition season. Her battle quickly became intense—she spent nearly three weeks in the PICU, facing pneumonia, failing lungs and kidneys, sepsis, and the need for multiple blood and platelet transfusions. Her first fight was simply to survive, then to stabilize enough to begin chemotherapy.
Despite everything, Brylee has returned to cheerleading, surprising even herself with how much her body remembers. While regaining her muscle strength and stamina has been challenging, her determination is stronger than ever. She refuses to let this battle define her, proving time and time again that her resilience knows no limits. There’s no doubt Brylee will continue to do incredible things—both on and off the mat.
Morgan
Morgan Marx is a resilient athlete whose journey is defined by perseverance and self-belief. At just 18 years old, Morgan has faced and overcome challenges that would test even the strongest of individuals. After battling cancer, she returned to her sports with unwavering determination, despite facing doubt from those around her.
One of the toughest obstacles Morgan encountered was when her coach expressed skepticism about her athletic ability post-treatment. The toll that cancer took on her body made it difficult to regain her former strength, but it was the mental challenge of overcoming doubt that truly tested her resolve. Instead of letting this discourage her, Morgan channeled this experience into building a deeper mental toughness. This newfound resilience became the foundation of her athletic journey and has shaped how she approaches not only sports but life itself.
Morgan is motivated by her profound appreciation for life and her desire to take on new challenges. She strives to inspire others who are navigating similar battles, offering her story and guidance to those who need it most. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of believing in oneself, no matter the obstacles.
The Goliath Project has played a crucial role in Morgan's journey, providing her with support, resources, and a community that understands the physical and mental challenges of life after cancer. Through this organization, Morgan found not only inspiration but also a personal trainer who helped her regain her strength and return to the sports she loves. The Goliath Project made her feel seen and heard, empowering her to push through the toughest moments.
Looking ahead, Morgan's experience with childhood cancer has inspired her to pursue a career in Pediatric Oncology Physical Therapy. She hopes to use her resilience and personal insight to support patients and their families through their own journeys, addressing physical, emotional, and mental well-being. With her unwavering determination and heartfelt desire to make a difference, Morgan is set to leave a lasting impact on the lives of many.
Jack
Jack Albert is an avid 10-year-old hockey player from Alexandria, Minnesota, who plays left wing for the Alexandria Cardinals squirt team. In January 2022, Jack was diagnosed with Stage 4 Burkitt’s lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer. This diagnosis paused his active involvement in the sport he loves as he underwent intensive chemotherapy treatments. KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News
The Alexandria community and the broader hockey world rallied around Jack during his treatment. His team honored him by bringing his No. 22 jersey to all their games, symbolizing his integral role on the team. Notably, hockey stars like Kirill Kaprizov and Wayne Gretzky sent video messages of encouragement, uplifting Jack's spirits during challenging times.
As of May 2022, Jack is cancer-free and has returned to the ice with renewed determination. Through his dedication and hard work with trainers, Jack has reclaimed his strength and endurance, which is evident in his enhanced performance on the rink. His journey from diagnosis to recovery exemplifies resilience and the profound impact of community support.
Ben
Ben Dapper is a courageous and determined young athlete from Farmington, Minnesota. At just 10 years old, Ben has faced challenges most people never will — bravely battling a serious illness that temporarily took him away from the ice and the sport he loves most: hockey.
Despite those setbacks, Ben’s unbreakable spirit has carried him through. With the support of his family, friends, and an incredibly strong local and online community, Ben has made an inspiring comeback. He’s back playing with the Farmington Youth Hockey Association, where his passion and perseverance continue to shine.
Ben’s story has resonated far beyond his hometown. NHL players and teams have shown their support, sending messages of encouragement and cheering him on throughout his recovery. His journey, shared through the Brave Ben's BattleFacebook page, has become a source of hope and motivation for many, especially other young athletes and cancer fighters.
Whether he’s on the ice or off, Ben is a symbol of grit, resilience, and the power of community. He truly embodies what it means to face your giants — and fight with heart.
kolton
Kolton is a determined and resilient young man from Mankato, Minnesota, who has faced and overcome one of life’s toughest battles. During his senior year at Mankato Loyola High School, Kolton was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. With strength and support from his family, community, and the incredible medical team at Mayo Clinic, Kolton endured months of intensive chemotherapy, major jaw reconstruction surgery, and continued treatment — all while staying committed to his education and future.
Now cancer-free, Kolton is continuing his recovery journey, focusing on rebuilding his strength and navigating the emotional toll of his experience. Though he made the difficult decision to step back from playing college basketball at Ridgewater College, he remains deeply involved with the team as a student assistant coach. Kolton continues to push forward with courage, taking online classes and working hard to reclaim the physical and mental ground cancer tried to take.
His journey is a powerful reminder of perseverance, and he remains a source of inspiration to many, including others facing pediatric cancer. With ongoing checkups and the support of loved ones, Kolton is embracing a hopeful future — one step, one scan, and one victory at a time.