This week, tens of thousands of high school seniors in our area will cross a stage at graduation – the culmination of a significant accomplishment.

However, just being there and walking across the stage represents an accomplishment for a Fonda teen that seemed possible just a short time ago.

Hunter Rose is the only child of Jerry and Heather Rose, who are pillars of the Fonda-Fultonville Community.

One day during his sophomore year at Fonda-Fultonville High, the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, Hunter came home from school with a fever.

They thought maybe it was mononucleosis, but because it was a holiday, they had to wait a few days to get bloodwork.

They weren’t ready for what they were about to learn – Hunter had leukemia.

Life as they knew it changed with that one phone call, but leukemia was only the beginning of the challenges for Hunter.

Six days into treatment, he began bleeding out and needed emergency surgery.

It was something called intussusception, a condition where the intestine telescopes into itself.

He recovered from that, but there was much more. Still in the hospital and receiving chemo for leukemia,

Hunter started getting fevers routinely. It turns out he had a severe fungal infection throughout his body.

There was also sepsis and chemo toxicity.

Doctors had to stop the chemo to give his body a fighting chance. However, it was still touch and go.

Parents were told there was nothing more that could be done.

Not willing to give up on their only son, Jerry and Heather pushed doctors to do something more.

As word was spreading just how sick he was, the community was rallying around him, with signs, shirts and in their hearts. He needed every bit of that love and support.

Now he’s out of the hospital, but still getting chemo. That’ll be done next year.

He’s been practicing at physical therapy, determined to walk across the stage for his big day.

Hear from Hunter’s parents as they reflect on their son’s recovery, and Hunter’s advice to others who are going through tough times by watching the video of Mark Mulholland’s story.