West High School junior Daren Richardson has been through more than most teenagers.
The 16-year-old has osteosarcoma, which is a bone cancer that attacks the bone marrow and is usually found in children and young adults.
Daren uses music as therapy to help him through the pain from multiple surgeries and chemotherapy. He currently plays the keyboard and hopes to teach others how to play.
His goal is to get music therapy and pianos in the Bakersfield branch of Valley Children's Hospital so he can share with others how much music has helped him.
As a member of the West High School band, Daren has spent a considerable amount of time on the sidelines. That's why the team wanted to show their appreciation of Daren and his hard-fought battle by naming him an honorary football captain.
On Friday, October 21, the band wore yellow shirts in his honor and the school put up yellow ribbons around the stadium and campus.
To top off his celebration, the West Athletic Department presented Daren with his own jersey and he was at the 50-yard line during the band's halftime performance.
To help Daren and his family, or to learn more about his journey, visit his Facebook page.
