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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — The Brighton High School varsity lacrosse team is giving a 9-year-old boy with cancer the title of honorary team captain at their game Friday night.
On April 1, Zach Johansen was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia called Hypodiploidy, according to his mother, Monica Johansen. Zach is currently undergoing chemotherapy at Primary Children's Hospital once a week and is preparing for a bone marrow transplant in July. His 3-year-old brother was a match and will serve as his bone marrow donor.
During one of his stays at Primary Children's Hospital, Zach was visited by members of the Brighton High School lacrosse varsity and junior varsity teams. Monica said it completely brightened Zach's day.
"It's one of those things when you have older boys that you admire and they have something that's cool and neat that you think is amazing, and they come visit you and show you some time and love," she said. "It was so cool to see all these big teenagers go outside of themselves and take an opportunity to come and serve and get to know and love a little boy."
Zach has two cousins that play on the varsity and junior varsity team. Senior, Ashton Schmidt, is the varsity team captain. Brighton lacrosse varsity head coach, Brandon Horoba, said Schmidt came up with the idea to rally the team to cheer up Zach.
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS —At most Brighton Bengals lacrosse games, the thrill of the game and score on the board is the focus, but Friday the focus was on their honorary team captain, 9-year-old Zach Johansen.
"They were so loving and caring towards him, it was so neat," said Zach's mother, Monica Johansen.
For Friday's game, Zach joined the coin toss and donned his very own Bengal jersey.
"Seeing him smile for the first time in four days … it just boosted his spirits," said Zach's dad, Jeff Johansen.
Being an honorary team member means more to Zach than the lacrosse team might ever know. Because of his illness, Zach does not have much energy for physical activities.
"You don't get to play sports, because you're weak and you slow down," Zach said.
Even though the Bengal's won their game, their victory wasn't measured by points, but on the face of their new biggest fan.
In July, Zach will have a bone marrow transplant, so Friday's game also served as a fundraiser to help with Zach's medical bills.
"They got it going to begin with," Horoba said. "They asked me, 'Hey, can we do this? Can we do this?' This was directed by the boys. They have gone and done this on their own. They visited (Zach) in the hospital and took him some Brighton gear and it made him happy for a day when he is struggling on a lot of days."
The lacrosse players invited Zach to attend a team dinner Thursday night and were excited when he accepted to attend their game as an honorary team captain. Monica said this support from the community has really helped her and her family through the experience.
"Life changed overnight for him," she said. "It's one of those things where it always happens to someone else. It never happens to you. It's been super bonding. And I can't believe the amount of people that have just come out of the woodwork to love our family and to love our son. It's amazing."
Horoba said the experience has also benefited his players.
"It's a two-sided thing here," he said. "We get to do something good for Zach but at the same time, it really kind of makes them understand, "Goll', I'm pretty stinkin' lucky to be healthy and able to do what I'm doing. It's good for both people."
The game will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at Brighton High School.
