Wristbands for David

BW senior battling cancer, but he's not fighting alone

Maria Smith

LAVALE - Bishop Francis Malooly has one and so do students throughout the area's high schools.

Many who haven't met David Gorgol even wear them.

David is the inspiration behind the blue DAVIDSTRONG wristbands that have cropped up over the last several weeks. Within four days of getting them, 200 were sold, and he's now up to almost 350. He and his mom, Kim, see people wearing them everywhere.

"I'm not going to lie, I feel cool when I see someone else wearing them," David said.

The wristbands are used to help defray the costs of his cancer treatments, which began less than three months ago.

"This is hard for me because cancer is not for your kids," Kim said.

She said it all hit home for her as the two were driving down Henderson Avenue headed for a CT scan.

"It's so true that people are so afraid to say the 'C' word and they are," she said. "Everyone reacts differently. He tells me to find something positive out of it."

All she has to do is look at her son to find the positive side.

"I just want to smile because it's all I can do," he said.

It all started with chest pain in December. A chest X-ray showed a mass, and David, a senior at Bishop Walsh School, learned he had cancer Dec. 18, the day after his 18th birthday. He found out Christmas Eve it was Hodgkin's.

With blond hair, a quick smile and an easy, laid-back demeanor, he looks as strong and healthy as any high school student.

Already through half of his 12 chemotherapy treatments, the prognosis is good.

David learned following the fourth one that the 5-by-5 1/2-inch tumor had shrunk in half. Treatments, which last about two hours, are every other Friday, with the remaining six to take about three more months.

Then, it's possible, he'll move on to radiation.

It's possible David will lose his hair - something his mother frets about but doesn't worry him.

"I've always wanted to shave my head but I never did," he said.

All treatment takes place at the Western Maryland Health System Braddock Campus Regional Cancer Center. Kim said the doctors and the nurses have been remarkable.

David hates his treatments but while there he passes the time by playing "Guitar Hero," taking a nap or watching TV.

Knowing that God doesn't give a person more than she can handle, Kim understands it could be worse. "I'm not upset and I'm not mad," Kim said.

David has had few side effects, although he admits he's tired for a few days after treatment. His life hasn't changed much whether it's sled riding or heading out for a round of paint ball.

He would much rather be in school than out sick, has played football all four years at Bishop Walsh and is a member of the Sunday School basketball league. A nearly two-year employee at the LaVale Pizza Hut, he remains active with his youth group at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church where the youth minister, Michele McGuire, and David came up with the wristband idea.

The bracelets have caught on throughout the community. Kelsey Parker of Fort Hill High School's Student Council presented David with a $200 check raised by the school.

"I honestly don't know what to think," David said. "It's just awesome."

The LaVale family said it seems as though even strangers are in support of them. David said it's been his mom, girlfriend Jenna, his co-workers and countless friends who have helped him along the way. His mom's friends and co-workers at Atlantic Broadband also are behind them. Uncle Erick Gorgol, who's serving a tour in Iraq, is expected to be home later this spring and also "is a big role model."

David attended the High School Leadership Institute in Baltimore last year and still stays in contact with those friends. Several of them, as well as his friends here, have begun sending him hats in case he loses his hair. The cards, letters and text messages from those friends, though, are what hit home for him.

While he says he isn't counting down the days, he'll graduate May 23 and then attend college locally, where he hopes to study computer and forensic sciences. If that career path doesn't pan out, he's thinking about becoming a doctor - possibly an oncologist.

In addition to the $3 DAVIDSTRONG wristbands, which are available at SS. Peter and Paul's on Fayette Street, Bishop Walsh allows Kim to hold a 50/50 raffle during bingo every week. ABATE of Western Maryland will hold a poker run April 26 starting at 1 p.m. at the Corriganville Volunteer Fire Department.

An account also has been set up to help pay for David's medical expenses. Donations may be sent to Standard Bank, 1275 National Highway, LaVale, MD 21502 with checks made payable to David or Kim Gorgol.

Contact Maria Smith at msmith@times-news.com.