Halls fill with orange in support of Rohl’s battle
Every year, about 30,800 people get leukemia. About 6,070 people get acute lymphoblastic leukemia every year.
Hunter Rohl is an intelligent, athletic student that happens to fall into both of these categories. As of September 24, Rohl’s doctors evaluated him and declared him in remission, but his struggle with cancer began in 2005 when he was first diagnosed with leukemia.
“The first time we were very shocked and devastated,” said Rohl’s mom, Molly.
After six hard months of treatment and many doctors’ visits, Hunter was put into remission. He had beaten cancer.
Hunter went on with his life and for nearly seven years, he was a cancer-free, happy teenager. He lived his life just like every other kid.
But, when he started feeling fatigue last year and getting sick, he and his parents, Molly and Steve Rohl started to wonder about his health.
Soon after, Hunter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia for the second time.
“We were kind of suspicious when he started to not feel well,” said Molly.
When Hunter left school due to his symptoms, and doctor’s orders, he left many friends behind. Eighth graders Tyler Smith, Jordan England and sophomore Garrett Tolen treated Hunter like a brother.
“I kind of just went into shock, couldn’t believe he was going to have to go through it again,” said Tolen.
To say that these friend’s lives were changed is an understatement. Their world was turned upside down.
“The biggest thing is not being able to talk to him every day,” said England.
“It just really made me appreciate all of the important people more,” said Tolen.
For over a month, many people have been praying for and thinking about Hunter.
Hunter having cancer has affected not only his life, but his parents’ as well.
“It put our life on hold,” said Molly, who is also drives bus P-4 for the school. “I just started doing my bus route again.”
For Hunter, a regular day is much different than it used to be.
“I sometimes wake up with a mild headache, then I go shoot my bow, and sleep,” said Rohl. “I always try to walk around the house for exercise.”
In the midst of all of the bad things happening there is still hope among family and friends of Hunter Rohl.
“My outlook on the future is positive because he can kick cancer’s butt just like he did before,” said Smith.
Tolen also has high hopes for his friend’s in the future.
“My outlook on the future is extremely positive because Hunter is one of the toughest people I know, and he won’t ever stop fighting,” said Tolen.
All of these people are correct, Hunter can and did kick cancer’s butt once again. On September 24, Hunter was in remission. The doctors determined this by removing bone marrow while he was under anesthesia; the doctors determined he was in the clear.
According to the Caring Bridge website, Hunter was given the okay to go to restaurants, movies, hang with family and friends outside, hunt and fish and with several exceptions, Hunter is able to resume most of his regular activities.
Also according to Caring Bridge, Hunter will have to receive chemotherapy, steroids and other medications for the next few years.
The five year survival rate for leukemia is 50 percent. That is yet another category that Hunter will fall into.
Story by Garrett Vincent
Photos by Morgan Babcock
