3rd Annual Austin's Cancer Crushing Carnival

Austin Melgar is the youngest son of a loving, large family. He was born with an older brother, three older sisters and thirteen aunts and uncles. Austin was always a fun loving child, who somehow managed to keep a sense of humor to the end.

Austin's symptoms began when he first started reporting pain in his shins. Since he was such an active child, the pain seemed normal as he played soccer. Soon, Austin's pain caused him to limp more severely. Both of Austin's parents are doctors so they quickly realized that he needed to be checked out. After a visit to the doctor's office, the family was told that Austin was fine.

The pain in the shins went away, but a couple of weeks later, some small lymph nodes became enlarged above his clavicle. Again, the doctor's tested, and said everything was fine.

Within the next few weeks, the lymph nodes grew, the pain in his knees was overwhelming and a mass was found in his belly. After daily trips to the doctor, they evaluated the lump. The results were every parent's nightmare.

Austin was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma on October 3, 2005. The cancer had affected his spleen, stomach, spinal canal, all major lymph nodes, and bone marrow. He was malnourished because the tumor had decreased the size of the stomach which lead to less food intake.

Over the years, Austin was a real trooper through some of the most painful and horrible treatments in modern medicine.

On April 25, 2008, Austin took his last breath. He was brought home that day from a Detroit hospital in an ambulance. A prayer circle started around his bed and quickly grew so large that it surrounded the entire house. He passed peacefully that night surrounded by his loved ones from the comfort of his own bed.