At 16 years old, Jace was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. His world, once filled with the thrill of the race, suddenly revolved around hospital visits, chemotherapy and radiation sessions, and surgeries. The dreams he had of continuing his track journey were put on pause as he faced the biggest battle of his life.
The Beginning of His Journey
Before his diagnosis in September 2022, Jace felt perfectly fine, still competing in track meets and excelling in school. It wasn't until he noticed a bulge on his side and stomach area that his family decided to take him to see Rachel Baker, MD, a pediatrician affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.
During the exam, Dr. Baker examined the area and, to be cautious, suggested they get imaging done. An ultrasound was performed the same day, and the next day, Dr. Baker called with concerning news.
"She told us we needed to take Jace to the ER right away,” said John, Jace’s father. “They saw something they didn’t like on the scans. My wife, Stefanie, and I rushed to the emergency room at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital with Jace to find out what was going on and prepare for whatever lay ahead.”
The ER team conducted additional tests and imaging on Jace, discovering a mass on his kidney. A biopsy was performed, and a few days later, their worst fears were confirmed—Jace was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma. Cynthia Herzog, MD, a pediatric oncologist affiliated with Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, delivered the news to the family, marking the beginning of Jace's challenging journey.
“Ewing's sarcoma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that most commonly originates in the bones or the soft tissues surrounding them,” explained Dr. Herzog. “This type of cancer is particularly challenging due to its rapid growth and tendency to spread to other parts of the body. While it typically affects the skeletal system, in rare cases, Ewing's sarcoma can also develop in other organs, including the kidneys, making it a complex disease that requires vigilant and comprehensive treatment.”
“I remember my wife and I sitting on the bed with the phone on speaker as Dr. Herzog told us there was a mass on Jace’s kidney,” said John. “As a cancer survivor myself, my focus was on action, not quality of life discussions. My first thought was, 'Let’s get this ball rolling so we can take care of it.' Stefanie was more worried, and there were many tears. For me, it was about staying strong and starting the fight right away. We explained everything to Jace. Although he’s naturally quiet, he became even more reserved. He didn’t ask many questions, just one: ‘Will I be okay?’ We assured him, ‘Yes, you will be okay.’”
Jace begins cancer treatment.
The cancer diagnosis was a heavy blow, but Jace and his family faced it head-on. His parents encouraged their son to stay strong and focused on beating the disease. Jace’s treatment involved a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Through it all, Jace remained resilient, never losing hope.
Jace participated in the Pediatric Cancer Program at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. The team works closely with affiliated pediatric subspecialties to combine the latest advances in research, procedures and technology to diagnose and treat a full range of pediatric cancers to improve outcomes.
“Cancer treatments are not one-size-fits-all,” said Ann Marshburn, MD, director of the Pediatric Cancer Program at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. “When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, our providers collaborate with the patient and family to create an individualized, comprehensive care plan. Led by affiliated pediatric oncologists and pediatric hospitalists, the pediatric care team may also include pediatric residents, nurse navigators, Child Life specialists, social workers, and therapists (occupational, physical, speech), depending on the child’s unique medical and social-emotional needs.”
Jace’s two-year treatment plan began with chemotherapy targeting both the kidney tumor and approximately 17 cancer spots on his lungs. Three months in, Mary Austin, MD, a pediatric surgeon affiliated with Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, performed an operation to remove both Jace’s kidney and the tumor as well as the lymph nodes in the area. Following this surgery, Jace received additional chemotherapy as well as radiation therapy to both lungs and ultimately lung surgery to completely remove the remaining cancer in his body.
“Despite the challenges, Jace never got nauseous or sick,” said John. “I prepared him for the tough times based on my own experience, but his response was different. The chemotherapy didn’t hit him as hard as I expected—he only faced tiredness, hair loss and weight loss. He handled everything like a rockstar.”
However, the diagnosis abruptly halted Jace’s life as he knew it. After finishing his freshman year of high school, he was forced to stop attending school altogether.
“Everything stopped suddenly,” Jace recalls. “I had to quit running track, which was really hard. I went from being a typical teenager to constantly going back and forth to the hospital. I missed my friends and couldn’t return to school, spending my entire sophomore and junior years attending classes remotely. It was tough not seeing my friends or doing the things I loved, but I had to adjust and fight through it. Fortunately, I had the best doctors and nurses. I built a strong bond with Dr. Austin and the entire team—they lifted my spirits.”
A Life-changing Connection with an Olympic Champion
As Jace faced the tough road ahead, he drew much hope and inspiration from a role model in the track world who became his mentor. Connecting with Gabby Thomas, a world-renowned track and field champion, marked a significant turning point in Jace's journey. Their connection began when he reached out to her on Instagram, where Gabby offered words of encouragement and advice. Before long, they were texting regularly, with Gabby sharing training tips to help Jace regain his strength and speed. For Jace, who had spent years chasing his dreams on the track, having an Olympic champion in his corner was nothing short of surreal.
"Her support gave me a huge boost and made me feel like I could tackle anything,” said Jace. “It lifted my spirits, helped me power through the tough parts of treatment, and gave me a positive outlook."
Ringing the Bell: A Celebration of Triumph
On July 17, 2024, Jace reached a milestone that every cancer patient dreams of—the end of treatment.
After receiving the news that his scans were all clear, Jace rang the victory bell at the hospital, a moment symbolizing the completion of his grueling two-year battle with cancer.
Surrounded by his doctors, as well as the nurses and the Child Life and Expressive Therapies team, who had been by his side throughout his journey, Jace walked a red carpet leading to the bell.
“There were tears, but this time they were tears of joy,” said Jace’s dad. “Seeing Jace ring that bell, knowing everything he had gone through, was overwhelming. The doctors, nurses—everyone who had helped us along the way—were there to celebrate with us. It was a moment we’ll never forget.”
This celebration marked not just the end of treatment but the beginning of a new chapter for Jace, one filled with hope and endless possibilities.
Looking Ahead: Jace’s Senior Year and Beyond
College is also on the horizon, and while many of his friends have been busy visiting campuses and making plans, Jace’s focus has been singular—beating cancer.
“We’ve made it clear to Jace that there’s no rush; and to take his time,” his parents shared. “We are just grateful to have our son healthy and home. We are grateful to the care and compassion the staff at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital showed Jace, which made all the difference during his cancer treatment. Even now, as he continues his recovery and physical therapy sessions, Jace stays in touch with the nurses and doctors who helped him through the toughest times.”
Jace’s family is also incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support they received from various community organizations. The Sunshine Kids made it possible for Jace, a huge Astros fan, to attend several games, including a World Series game in 2022. During the week of his bell ringing, Astros legend Craig Biggio, a key figure in the Sunshine Kids organization, sent Jace a personalized video congratulating him on beating cancer. Big Love Cancer Care also created a memorable experience by sending Jace to a Houston Rockets game, where he and his little brother Caleb got to shoot baskets with the players before the game. The Candlelighters also showed tremendous support to Jace and other young patients.
For his follow-up care, Jace attends physical therapy twice a week and also does exercises at home. He meets with his oncologist every three months for scans to ensure everything is looking good.
“I’m glad I beat cancer,” said Jace. “I hope my journey inspires others to never give up hope.”
Visit Pediatric Cancer Program at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital for more information »