Darren Shanks (Part 6)

The Freshman coaching staff along with Varsity Coach Mike Martinez paid a visit to the Shanks residence. We met with Darren, his mom Vivian, father Tom (who now is without a mustache and looks 20 years younger) and brother Bryan.

It was a rare window of opportunity for Darren to take on visitors and we as a coaching staff were happy to see Darren and his family.

Darren was in good spirits and he was able to share some hair-raising (no pun intended) stories describing his stay at Children's Hospital. He also had some pretty funny stories too.

Darren is the oldest patient at Children's' Hospital. Most of the patients are under the age of ten and it is rare for a patient to engage in deep conversation in regards to treatment. One Doctor came into Darren's room and began to talk about the next treatment he was going to receive. Darren asked a lot of really good questions and apparently, the doctor was not completely prepared to answer all his question. She excused herself and said she would come back when she had all the answers. Good job Darren!

I have an all new respect for Darren and what he has to endure during his Chemotherapy. I am a police officer and there are people that wish to do me harm out there in the real world. But after hearing what Darren has to go through, (size of needles, where he is being shot with these needles, the side effects of the chemotherapy and the pain he has to endure) I told Darren, I would rather go down a dark alley at midnight with armed and dangerous persons in the alley than go through what he is going through. And all the while, Darren keeps a positive attitude and asks his Doctors questions on what is next, and what he will endure.

At the beginning of the year, I handed out Leadership Awards (PH Helmet Stickers) for the player that has shown leadership qualities. Yes, the season is over and yes, he doesn't wear a helmet right now, but Darren is a leader. Darren shows us all that we never quit, we keep on fighting and we will always make the best of every situation. So, on the suggestion of Coach Armenta, I presented Darren with his leadership award and gave him his two PH Helmet Stickers. Nothing is given. Everything is earned and Darren earned it!

Darren will be admitted back to the Hospital this Sunday night. The best way to contact Darren is via text or Skype (Internet video).

We said goodbye after an hour and a half visit. On the way out, his mother Vivian took the following photo.


From left to right: Coach Fred Bushardt, Varsity Head Coach Mike Martinez, Coach Dailey, Darren 'The Warrior' Shanks, Coach Rick Pankow and Coach Andy Armenta.