Let me introduce you to my hero, my son Anthony. Just weeks before his thirteenth birthday, Anthony was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, a lifelong inflammatory bowel disease. A few years later medical tests revealed kidney problems and the diagnoses of end stage renal disease. Anthony is on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) list waiting for a kidney.

During all of his medical issue he has continued to be active in his favorite sport, football. He shows up for every practice and has not missed a game. Anthony does not complain about how tired he is or about how many medications he has to take while he waits for a kidney transplant. Anthony focuses his energy on his senior year, graduating and starting his learning experience towards a sports trainer career. See, his philosophy is not to give up just because he cannot physically play the game like he did during his freshman year of high school. He believes that he can still contribute to the love of the game by becoming the best sports trainer possible.

Anthony symbolizes the four “C’s” that this award represents. His big heart, easy going nature and love for the team and football add up to character, courage, contribution and commitment. That is why I am very proud of my hero, my son Anthony.

• Anthony Braham on the News
• Battling long odds in life, teen inspires not only a team
• Study in courage: Braham up for 'Rudy' award
• Help Niagara Falls Senior Win a Rudy Award!
• Niagara Falls Athlete Considered for the Rudy Award
• Braham's still in running for 'Rudy' Award