From Young Cowboy to Cancer Patient

Walker Huggins is known as one of the youngest music directors in the Texas rodeo industry. When he wasn’t running audio at the rodeo, he was learning to ride bucking horses and traveling across the state with his dad. With big plans ahead of him, Walker’s world suddenly shifted when the strange symptoms he had been feeling for months led him to having a seizure at home and being rushed to the hospital. He later learned he had two large tumors in his brain.Walker went from a 16-year-old cowboy to being diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer most common in children and young adults. After two succesful tumor removal surgeries, Walker was referred to Texas Center for Proton Therapy where he met Victor S. Mangona, M.D., radiation oncologist at the center who specializes in pediatric cases. Throughout proton therapy treatment, Walker’s family credits Dr. Mangona and his cancer care team for making them feel at home and helping Walker finally feel like himself again. Hear Walker’s story and how he hopes to inspire others in the power of positivity, faith, and determination.TexasOncology.com/podcast