Arm outstretched to halt an imaginary defender in his tracks and eyes hidden by the shadows cast by his face mask, Keshav Bhanot (12) gazes into the camera intensely and reflects on one of his first games as a player on the varsity football team. He describes how he stood firmly planted in his three point stance, locking eyes with the opposing player on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Keshav recalls being knocked down due to the opponent’s immense size while trying to create a hole in the mess of players for his running back. Despite the blow, he fondly remembers how his teammates helped him up after the play and how he dusted himself off before returning to the huddle, ready for the next snap. 

“The guy who was against me was this massive kid who I knew I wasn’t going to be able to block. I ended up getting tossed the whole game, but I was able to tough it out and I played on both offense and defense the whole game,” Keshav said. 

Diagnosed with biphenotypic leukemia, an uncommon type of leukemia which affects one’s blood and bone marrow, when he was 5 years old, Keshav has endured surgeries throughout his life. Keshav noted how he confronted every challenge head-on, and he was able to overcome the cancer with the support of his family and friends.

“I’m most indebted to [my older sister, Priya]. Without her, I would not be here today. She was my bone marrow transplant donor. She’s sacrificed a lot to get where she is, and she’s a great role model for me,” Keshav said. “My younger brother inspires me to be a better person. That’s something that keeps me going, so I can be a better role model for him.”

Despite his difficult journey, Keshav was cleared to play football and made the varsity team his sophomore year as an offensive and defensive lineman. As part of his training, Keshav attended practices throughout summer and endured many challenging workouts such as sprints in intense heat. He persevered both on and off the field to secure himself a spot on the team.

“I was really proud of myself when I showed myself that I could play football. I told myself I was going to do it. I was going to prove to everyone that I could do it,” Keshav said. “I went to every summer practice and every practice after that. I played varsity, which was really cool. It really proved to myself that there is nothing limiting me.”

Keshav displays his work ethic and drive every day during practices and games, eager to put in as much effort as the rest of his teammates. His past experiences, he affirms, do not deter him from facing the challenges that come with playing high school football.

“He doesn’t want you to feel bad for him because he’s had cancer before. He doesn’t want any special treatment,” close friend and varsity boys football teammate Levi Sutton (12) said. “Keshav’s inspired me to keep pushing forward and shown me that nothing is impossible. If you can get through cancer and then go out there and play a physical sport like football, then you can really do anything.”

Although Keshav hasn’t always had the most minutes on the field, he approaches each snap with determination.

“It was crazy. I remember that when I first put on my pads, I was extremely energetic and wanted to play. I was filled with adrenaline,” Keshav said. “As the smallest kid on the field, I was getting laid out on every play, but I would get right back up and go again. I didn’t feel tired at all.”

In addition to his confidence in himself, Keshav also believes in his friends and is willing to defend them if needed. He draws on his own strength and utilizes it as a way to motivate others. Whether on the field or in the classroom, Keshav always supports his friends’ endeavors, his junior year mathematics teacher Jane Keller observed. 

“Keshav is extremely dedicated to his friends. It’s not just a friendship. It’s not just somebody to hang out with. He has true dedication and loyalty to his friends,” Keller said. “He’s like that for anybody that is good to him. He’s very protective and always tries to make sure people are treated correctly.”

Keshav’s caring nature extends to other cancer patients as well. He frequently participates in the Light the Night walks held by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), helping to raise funds for lifesaving research and supporting patients in their battles against cancer. 

“I love working with the LLS organization. At the Light the Night walk we raise money and spread awareness for the cause. It’s something I really care about. There was a lot of community service that went into helping me, and I want to give back,” Keshav said. 

During the walks, Keshav engages in conversations with cancer patients, a bright lantern in one hand, willing to share his story to inspire others, as his close friend Krishay Mukhija (12) describes.

“He was meeting with patients and other survivors, sharing his experiences with them and listening to their stories,” Krishay, who participated in one of the Light the Night walks, said. “Keshav openly shared his story with everyone, making people feel comfortable and offering encouraging words so that they could get through a scary part of their lives.”

Keshav never lets the fact that he had cancer stop him, and he conquers any adversities. This year, he hopes to once again step onto the football field and continue inspiring others with his story. 

“I’ve learned that I have to be able to stay positive, because that’s what got me through the cancer treatments … I said, ‘This is what I have to do. I’m going to do it. That’s how it’s going to be,’” Keshav said. “When new challenges arise, it gets hard sometimes, but you have to stay positive and keep pushing through it … You can’t worry about the future always, because then you will miss out on the present.”