Michael

Michael's parents were ecstatic when they learned they were having triplets – Michael, Mason and Matthew joined sister Michelle, who was then 2-and-a-half years old. The family settled into a routine, or at least, as much of a routine as possible for family of three babies and a toddler.

"We had just returned from visiting family when Michael began to cry constantly," says Rita. Doctor visits revealed nothing out of the ordinary and the family prepared for their move to a new home. Two weeks after their move, a new test revealed the cause of the crying – Michael had a brain tumor. He was just 2 years old.

"Michael endured the pain of five brain surgeries and countless days of poking and prodding, trusting strangers who sometimes hurt him in order to help him. He had chemotherapy, whole brain radiation and gamma knife radiation. He has scars on his head from surgery and scars on his tummy from putting in a port and a shunt," says Rita.

Today Michael is 12. He's lost complete hearing in his right ear, and the ability to close his right eye. But what a survivor. He loves chess, mathematics and hanging out with his friends. Last year, he made the math team and has been learning to play the drums.