Meet Jakob

Jakob was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age two.

“For many years, I did not want anyone to know I grew up battling cancer since I thought being portrayed as ‘different’ was a bad thing,” Jakob recalls.

“However, things altered when I was profiled by a local television station. The news story about my personal battle with cancer, my football team, and my aspiration to help others caused people to reach out to me. This opened up other doors for me to connect with people and give them hope.”

Jakob became more involved as a volunteer, spokesperson, and fundraiser for cancer charities, and he’s inspired by his new direction in life.

“I am a survivor of childhood cancer. I believe we are all put on this Earth for a purpose and I know mine is to give back,” he says. “My life was saved by the wonderful doctors and nurses at Valley Children's Hospital, and I want to be able to help save more kids just like myself. I plan to use my education/experiences at Fresno State to pursue a degree in public health and hopefully become a firefighter!”

“Persevering through any obstacles that align with your path will show how physically, mentally, and spiritually strong you are destined to become. I speak on the experience of being a cancer survivor of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.” - Jakob