Austin William Gatus is 11 years old. He has also been diagnosed with the blood cancer known as leukemia.
Today, his brave tale of survival and his continuing battle for life has been brought home; he’s touched Point Lomans and other San Diegans as a courageous role model. He has been named as an honorary ambassador for an upcoming fundraising regatta poised to set sail from Shelter Island this May ” a role he hopes will serve as a springboard of inspiration to young sailors at the San Diego Yacht Club and elsewhere.
Making an appearance at the Point Loma-based yacht club Monday evening, Austin gave a glimpse into the life-changing experience of dealing with cancer.
Just two years ago, he was living a life just like any other fourth-grader in El Cajon.
He played basketball on a team at a local recreational center. He played elementary saxophone. He earned the honor of student of the month and was voted student president of Rancho San Diego Elementary School ” a responsibility he continues to hold.
Two years ago, Austin went on vacation with his parents and shared family stories about the days when he and his sisters were born.
But these carefree times came to a life-changing halt for Austin, his mother, Eva, and their family when Austin became ill with a wrenching side ache as they drove home from their last day of that happy vacation.
In an open letter being used to inspire many, Eva Gatus describes how she felt on that fateful day. The family hadn’t even unpacked when it arrived at the hospital, she wrote.
“Then next thing you know, I was pulled aside into an empty, cold room and [was] told that my son may have cancer. One can’t imagine the dreaded feeling of this kind of news, unless it’s been said to you about your loved one ” especially if it’s your own child,” Eva wrote.
She said doctors diagnosed Austin with the debilitating and painful blood cancer. Leukemia is the leading cause of cancer-related death in young people under 20, according to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
The next two years of Austin’s life would be filled with painful procedures and medications that would make his hair fall out.
Though his cancer is currently in remission, Austin still has to receive painful chemotherapy injections in his spine every three months.
His life, once carefree with playfulness, is now heavy with a responsibility and pain that no young boy or girl should have to endure, Eva said. Several foundations invite Austin to speak throughout the year to raise awareness for those living with the disease.
“He’s taught me a lot,” Eva said. “He’s an amazing boy and I think he’ll go far “¦ He continues to touch so many people.”
With about a year and half of therapy to go, Austin now uses his experiences living with the disease to shape a story of courage, strength and inspiration for hundreds of similarly stricken children and families to draw upon.
Austin shared his story with the Junior Sailors at the San Diego Yacht Club on Monday, March 3, as he was honored as this year’s event ambassador. Austin helped kick off fundraising efforts for this year’s Kids Helping Kids 10th annual Leukemia Cup Regatta starting from Shelter Island in May.
Hosted by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society ” in partnership with the San Diego Yacht Club ” the regatta sets sail May 2 through May 4.
Though the race is months away, Junior Sailors ranging from age 7 to 18 began fundraising efforts as early as March to raise donations that will go to foundations whose missions are to help those afflicted with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma “” a bone marrow cancer, according to campaign coordinator Christina Rosas.
The race is part of a nationwide program that involved more than 40 such races last year, raising about $96,000 for prevention and education efforts.
Every year, hundreds come together in mutual support, sharing their stories while helping to raise crucial donations.
This year’s goal is to surpass $100,000 in local donations while raising $4 million nationally, according to Rosas.
As this year’s ambassador, Austin’s journey would inspire San Diego Yacht Club Junior Sailors to raise funds through letter-writing campaigns, car washes, online donations and other efforts.
In a statement he wrote last year, Austin describes his day-to-day life with cancer in his own words:
“I don’t like cancer, but if I stay strong, take my medicine and think happy thoughts, I will win my battle. Some people think I’m already done with my treatment but I still have two more years to go. Having cancer has made me want to help other people who have it and it also gives me more hope and faith. I hope God’s plan for me is that I could win my battle of cancer and then help others to be more aware of cancer.”
The letter continues:
“The lessons I have learned from having cancer is that you can teach others to be more aware of cancer and to help others who have cancer. If you want to help others who have cancer you can donate blood, donate hair, donate your bone marrow and help out local foundations. I would like to help other people who have cancer by making paper cranes for them to give them hope, playing my saxophone for them in the hospital or other events to cheer them up, and I can also draw pictures and make sculptures to give out because I am an artist like my great-grandpa.”
To donate or for more information, visit www.leukemiacup.org/sd, or call Rosas at (858) 427-6643.