O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine Spring 2020 | Página 25

BOUNCING BACK:
UAB BASKETBALL PLAYER
BEATS TESTICULAR CANCER
By Laura Gasque
A harrowing diagnosis
shook Blazer hoops player
Luis Hurtado to his core,
but the redshirt sophomore
is now back on the court
after a little help from
his team and the O’Neal
Comprehensive Cancer
Center at UAB.
Luis Hurtado had every reason to feel nervous when
he stepped onto the basketball court in Bartow
Arena on Nov. 20, 2019.
It was his first appearance in a game this season, his first
playing time in months and his first competition since
defeating the toughest opponent of his life.
UAB oncologist Mollie deShazo, M.D., evaluates Luis Hurtado in
the clinic following his return to the basketball court after being
diagnosed with testicular cancer.
But the nerves did not show. The ball came his way
with three seconds left on the shot clock, and the UAB
sophomore connected, scoring his first career 3-point
basket. It all happened on the night of his return from
beating cancer.
UAB.EDU/CANCER
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