Carsten
Age 12
Children's National Medical Center
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Black belt-wearing Carsten learned about the value of blood early in life. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (a blood cancer) at age 6, Carsten began to demonstrate during treatment that he has a heart that bleeds with compassion for others. And his compassionate service has grown since his recovery two years ago.
While still undergoing treatment, Carsten became an advocate for cancer research as a spokesman for a 5,000-mile bike ride raising funds for childhood cancer research. In the two years he has been in recovery, Carsten has reached beyond the 5,000 miles across America to serve inhabitants in the jungles of Cameroon and cancer patients in hospitals in India.
Carsten’s service, combined with local speaking opportunities, has allowed him to develop a strong empathy for others. Whether at his middle school—where he is in the band, on athletic teams, and in a Spanish immersion program—or speaking, fundraising and educating, it is not hard to notice that generosity and compassion are just in Carsten’s blood.
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