University Southern California Trojans
Heartwarming Holidays
December 20, 2018 | Trojan Outreach, Features
As the USC football season was winding down, USC's Trojan Outreach program hosted Zein Youssef and his family for an exciting Trojan Wish experience.Zein was diagnosed with high-risk stage 4 neuroblastoma in February 2013 when he was almost six years old. Shortly after his diagnosis, a rare and unique kind of tumor was located in his chest and abdominal area, bones and bone marrow, yet hides in his nerve cells. After a series of visits to the pediatrician's office and demanding blood work, his levels revealed that Zein had been diagnosed with cancer. After a series of chemotherapy, surgeries and radiation treatment, Zein has been in remission for the past three years and has started physical and occupational therapy. He has resumed normal life activities under close supervision and observation with his medical team. Every three months, he undergoes a major set of numerous scans to maintain remission status.
Zein was introduced to USC thanks to Team IMPACT, a local organization that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams.
Before USC's Homecoming football game, Zein, his parents and his two younger sisters were treated to a tour of Heritage Hall and the USC Athletics facility where they were hosted at the Sports Performance room to enjoy a personal tailgate experience and a complimentary dinner.
Zein's is passionate about golf, so he had the opportunity to use the USC golf team's own indoor virtual golf simulator to have fun and practice his swing with his younger sisters. Afterwards, he and his family were surprised with USC attire including USC golf balls and tees.
Next, the Youssef family headed to the LA Memorial Coliseum to enjoy a special pregame experience, including watching the Trojan football team's warmup drills and meeting the world-famous USC Song Girls, USC Athletic Director Lynn Swann and former USC center Nico Falah, who now plays for the Denver Broncos.
During this time of giving thanks, our Trojan community should be mindful of the simplicities of life we take for granted. Zein is a prime example of the amount of resilience it takes to overcome such harsh obstacles as a child yet being the most optimistic person in the room.
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