Immanuel is a fun-loving teenager who enjoys sports, music and video games. He has a strong faith in God and it has been exemplified during this journey. He likes to play Xbox and SONY PlayStation games and listen to music. Immanuel has two younger siblings, Samuel, 15, and Josiah, 12. His older sister is ShaRhonda. They are all very close and his family is very important to him.  Although he is somewhat the quiet type, Immanuel knows how to have a good time. He enjoys travelling and watching his favorite teams: the Knicks and the Steelers. Prior to his diagnosis, Immanuel was on the track team and played basketball on a regular basis.

As you can tell, Immanuel is very athletic and competitive. He was playing basketball and tried to impress a girl by dunking the ball. When he attempted to dunk the ball, he came down improperly on his right leg. After several trips to the doctor's office and the hospital for x-rays, he was scheduled for an MRI to determine if he had a slipped disc. Immanuel was in such excruciating pain that his mother took him to the ER at A.I. DuPont Hospital. He was treated for pain and was going to be released when a mass was discovered. The next morning he received an MRI that revealed cancer. He had stage 4, grade 4 rhabdomyosarcoma that had metastasized.

He received chemotherapy on a weekly basis for several months while in the hospital. After he was released from the hospital, he continued to receive chemotherapy weekly. However, every third week, he had to receive a triple dose while in-patient. He received chemotherapy for 43 weeks.

Immanuel hopes to go to college after high school, study psychology and become a psychologist.

Immanuel has had many challenges and obstacles over the course of the last two years. He has fought with faith, strength and perseverance. He continues to smile in the face of adversity. He maintains a positive attitude and is willing to share his story to encourage others. His faith in God and His power to heal is exemplary and unwavering. 

Immanuel’s mother, Robin, wants others who may have recently received a cancer diagnosis to know the journey is like riding a rollercoaster; there are many ups and downs, twists and turns and moments that take your breath away. However, with strong faith and support from family, friends and others who have gone through it - you can make it. You will need help! Don't be afraid to ask for it.

“Faith is stronger than any medicine and bigger than any disease.”- Immanuel

Information provided by Robin Patterson, Immanuel’s mother
Updated October 2016