Case Study #27 - D. Anthony Lifting Weights

D. Anthony Lifting Weights - 30" x 24" Oil on canvas

D. Anthony Evans  knows what it takes to face down life’s biggest challenges and beat them. As a child of a single mom, D. Anthony was born with Neurofibromatosis (NF) a rare genetic condition where dangerous tumors grow on nerve tissue. Often benign, they can, however, become malignant, resulting in what is called a Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor (MPNST). A MPNST is a terminal aggressive sarcoma form of cancer.

Prep Sketch

In 2012, D. Anthony was diagnosed with MPNST. This manifestation has had him had to endure nine life-or-death surgeries, the first seven of which were completed within the first eleven consecutive months. To date three hundred and twenty-five tumors have been removed from his body with the largest being two pounds and 7cm. The doctors gave D. Anthony six months to live. Life expectancy post operation for MPNST is zero to six years. Six years if detected and caught early and zero ninety-nine percent of the time when the tumor is 2 lbs 7cm like his measured to be. But there are those who survive.

It has been over four years since his surgery and in  D. Anthony's words "I'm blessed and grateful..So don't you dare think about giving up. I am your tangible proof that everything is possible! So no matter what your facing, keep your hands up, your head tucked and don't you dare stop swinging until it's over." #Train2Live #Eat2live