Pond has a goal to raise his boys and help them and anyone who may be struggling with anything. "I think I've had this trial to help others. I will tell them (my boys) that everyone has trials and for some reason. This was mine."

Wilson said this experience has "helped us to want to do more for the community and others in the same situation."

After Pond's performance at Orion Junior High, "A little seventh-grader came up to him crying saying, 'My uncle just died of cancer, I don't know what kind of cancer he had, but I'm so glad to see there is a survivor,' " Dame recounted.

Pond hopes to continue reaching out to others. "The fastest way to get better is by helping others," he said.

"You know, when we were all up in heaven, and people were told what they were going to get, and I was told, 'You're going to get a brain tumor' I'm sure I said, 'Sweet, let's make the best of this.' "

E-mail: kimball@every1counts.net