Santa Maria Teen Beats Cancer
Steven Northup is a fighter and survivor. He just finished his last dose of chemotherapy since being diagnosed with diffuse large b-cell lymphoma back in August.
“I figured, ‘Hey, I got a chance to beat this, so why not try,'” said Northup to KCOY/KEYT’s Cory James.
Northup’s mom, Cheryl Davis, showed Central Coast News his X-ray from when doctors found the massive tumor in his chest.
“I wanted to take it from him so he didn’t have to go through,” said Davis as she spoke about her son’s bout with cancer.
The tumor was almost 12 centimeters long and six centimeters wide. But despite its size, it was an illness Northup knew from day one he could defeat
“It’s smaller than I am. I can crush it,” Northup said when he found out about his illness.
Now after four rounds of chemotherapy, Northup is cancer-free. His doctor, Dr. David Slominay at Cottage Children’s Hospital, said they were able to cure Northup’s cancer with an aggressive form of treatment.
Slominay added that Northup “tolerated the therapy quite well and had no unexpected side effects.”
With Christmas just around the corner and presents under the tree, Northup’s mother said she’s already received the one gift she had been wishing for, which “is for [Steven] to be healthy.”
Northup’s family is having a fundraiser on Sat., Jan. 3 to help with medical costs. The event will take place at 1573 East Bettaravia Road from noon to 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 and includes meals with chicken, beans, salad, bread and a drink. Contact Dottie Dominguez by phone or text at 805-878-0742 for more information.
