Blanock to receive John Challis Award
Luke Blanock, a senior at Canon-McMillan High School, will receive the seventh annual John Challis Memorial Award, which is presented each year by the WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association.
Blanock will be recognized at the WBCA’s Awards Banquet June 4 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Southpointe.
The John Challis Memorial Award was named after Challis, a former Freedom High School student-athlete who died of cancer two months after graduating in 2008. The foundation’s mission is to provide life-encouraging sporting experiences and community support for high school athletes with life-threatening illnesses.
In December of 2013, a baseball-sized tumor was removed from Blanock’s spine and he was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma. After treatment with chemotherapy and radiation for 10 months, Blanock was cleared to participate in basketball and preseason baseball workouts.
Blanock recently learned the disease returned and had settled in his femur. He is again undergoing chemotherapy.
To be considered for the John Challis Memorial Award, an individual must satisfy the following three criteria: be a current high school student who is either on or associated with his high school baseball team; has overcome or is currently battling a physical, medical or other significant obstacle; and serves as an inspiration to his fellow players and coaches.
The Foundation’s mission is to provide life encouraging sporting experiences and community support for high school athletes with life threatening illnesses. Contributions to the Courage for Life Foundation can be made by visiting its website at www.courageforlifefoundation.org.