Adam Johnstone, a 2013 DNHS graduate, has been diagnosed with testicular cancer. Adam has undergone surgical removal of tumors and the first of four rounds of chemotherapy. To help defray the costs of his treatment, visit www.gofundme.com/6duxmo.
Adam was the Drum Major for the DNHS band and won top honors includin
g best drum major at the New Mexico Pageant of Bands high school marching band competition. He also plays guitar and hopes to resume playing in his metal band “Creating the Tempest”.
Adam’s family would like to raise awareness of testicular cancer. It is the leading cause of cancer in men ages 15 to 35 with about 8,000 cases diagnosed in the U.S. annually, leading to about 360 deaths. If it detected early, the survival rate is 95%.
Warning Signs: A lump on the testicle; enlargement, change in shape, heaviness or other irregularities of the testicle; pain or discomfort in groin area.
When it comes to women they have to check for lumps as well and make sure there is no chance of a breast cancer.
Adam is basically receiving the same treatment given to the professional bike racer Lance Armstrong, who survived the treatment and went on with his career.
See related article in the Albuquerque Journal:
Cancer diagnosis puts music on pause | ABQJournal Online