Cancer treatments kept him away from school and sports during his sophomore year, the John Burroughs junior is back with his teammates.
On the first day of school, Xavier Christensen’s friends had a welcome-back poster waiting for him. After spending much of the previous year away from school while undergoing cancer treatment, the gesture meant a great deal to him.
Christensen, now a junior at John Burroughs High School, was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumor, an aggressive form of cancer, in the summer of 2025. He underwent surgery that October and received treatment for nine months. He was declared cancer-free six months into treatment.
The time away meant missing his sophomore year with friends and teammates. Their support helped him feel connected even when he could not be there in person.
“It feels great to be back after being at home a lot to deal with my health,” Christensen said. “During the times that I was away from school, I was sad to not be around my friends and teammates at school last year, but I felt the love and support from them when they showed support for me.”
His return has meant a great deal to the football team, too. “We were excited to have Xavier back on the team this year after what he’s gone through healthwise last season. His journey has been incredible to see,” said Burroughs head football coach Jose Calzadilla. The coach said Christensen has been engaged with his coaches and teammates since returning.
This year, Christensen is back in school and taking part in football and track. The welcome-back poster marked the beginning of a junior year he had been waiting for: another chance to spend his days alongside his friends and teammates, with a senior season still ahead.
