MONTROSE — A Pennsylvania teenager who is battling cancer recently got his life-long wish to hunt big game in the Rocky Mountains in early November.
Brandon Statzula, 16, of Brownsville, Pa., hunted successfully for elk and mule deer near Montrose.
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To go on his dream hunt, Statzula got help from two Colorado land-owners and guides; Benefit4Kids, a Michigan-based philanthropic organization that arranges outdoor adventures for children with life-threatening illnesses and the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
Statzula harvested a five-point bull elk Nov. 5 on the ranch of Kurt Sanburg, a long-time rancher and outfitter in the area. On Nov. 7 he harvested a large four-point buck mule deer on the property of Phil Phillips, host of an archery hunting show on the Outdoors Channel. The landowners donated valuable private-land hunting vouchers to the teenager.
Statzula, who played football and baseball for Beth-Center High School in Brownsville, was diagnosed with cancer on Dec. 24, 2004. Just a few months earlier his back had become extremely sore and he lost his appetite. The problems were a result of six cancerous tumors spread throughout his body. The tumor on his back squeezed against his back so hard that it caused a fractured vertebrae. Another tumor pressed against his stomach, effectively shrinking it; his weight dropped from 140 pounds to 109 pounds in just a few months. His weight is now back up to 150 pounds.
He started chemotherapy and radiation treatments in early 2005. He has responded well to the treatment and the tumors appear to be eliminated.
He is scheduled for two more chemotherapy sessions followed by a body scan to check for the presence of tumors.
Ever since the diagnosis Statzula said he’s known the cancer wouldn’t kill him.
“I always kept my spirits up,” he said.
On Nov. 5, the boy’s father, Chris Statzula, followed his son and Sanburg during the elk hunt.
“He’s a fighter, he’s a tough kid,” Chris Statzula said. “When the doctor told him he had cancer Brandon came right out and asked ‘am I going to die?’”
While Brandon concentrated on beating the cancer, his parents and friends worked to raise money to pay for treatments.
A teacher at his high school who knew Brandon loved to hunt, contacted Benefit4Kids. The organization then asked Brandon where he’d like to hunt - and he knew the exact location.
“At Cabela’s (outdoor store) in West Virginia they have all these huge stuffed mule deer that are from Montrose, Colorado. So that’s where I told them I wanted to go,” Brandon said.
Benefit4Kids contacted the Colorado Division of Wildlife office in Montrose. Officials then talked to Sanburg and Phillips about donating a private-land voucher.
“A lot of kids just don’t get a chance,” Sanburg said. “It’s very important that we keep our kids hunting.”
Phillips will feature Brandon’s adventure on his TV show next fall. He is the host of “Wildlife Point Blank,” an archery hunting show sponsored by Scent-Lok, a manufacturer of specialty clothing for bow hunters.
“We usually don’t do anything with rifle hunting for the show, but this is great for Brandon and for the Benefit4Kids organization,” Phillips said.
Before returning to Pennsylvania on Nov. 12, the Statzulas also found time to test their skills fly-fishing on the renowned Uncompahgre River.
And Brandon said he’s ready to start planning his next hunting trip.
Kaitlyn Heichel wrote on Nov 3, 2009 2:01 PM:
Sarah Bond wrote on Jul 13, 2009 5:31 PM: