This February, when the school and SGA gear up for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “High School Challenge,” no one will be as enthusiastic as freshman Tim King.

King, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of eight, has been selected as the first ever “High School Hero” for the event.

“They’re using my story to give people a general idea of what leukemia is like and build up sympathy,” says King, who is also among many students nationwide whose story is profiled on the society’s website.

Along with Pennies for Patients, Battle of the Beards and the new addition of a guy auction, the High School Challenge will probably include King addressing the student body according to SGA president Aaron Schifrin.

“We’re just going to go all out this year,” Shrifrin says.  “We have several new fundraisers which I think are very unique.”

The High School Challenge consists of local schools competing to see who can raise the most awareness and money to combat leukemia.  The winning school receives a party pack at the end of the year that includes pizza, a visit from HOT 99.5 DJ Sami and $200 worth of Best Buy gift cards.

“Past students have said that not only do they feel like they are doing something that makes a direct impact in their community, but they also are building a resume of tangible leadership skills,” said Erin Walker, the campaign manager for LLS’s School & Youth program.

Walker says that King was selected because of his resilience.

“Tim is one of the most determined individuals I have ever met,” she says.  “He just doesn’t know the meaning of giving up.”

King’s family first realized there was an issue the summer before he turned nine, when he started experiencing intense bouts of fatigue.  King’s parents took him to a local clinic, where he tested positive for the disease.

“Looking back now, all I remember is waking up and having a Broviac catheter in my chest and knowing it’s been there a while,” King writes on the LLS website.  “I’ve heard people’s memory can shut down to prevent additional trauma, and I suppose that’s what happened.”

After treatment, King found himself in and out of the hospital for complications from medication, including a blood clot and a temporary case of diabetes.

When King turned 13, shortly after entering remission, the bouts of fatigue were renewed and testing revealed that the cancer came back.  When chemotherapy failed, the Kings opted for a bone marrow transplant.  Blood test showed that King’s older brother, junior J.T., was a perfect match.  He would be the donor.

J.T. says it was worth it when he woke up in the hospital and heard that the surgery had been a success.

“I was relieved that it worked and very hopeful that my brother could lead a normal life: that he might finally be cancer-free after all he’s been through.”