In September 2023, Deerfield alumni Henry Gustavson ’20 from Southborough, Massachusetts, was diagnosed with ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a rare type of lymphoma.
Henry Gustavson is currently receiving treatment at the Mass General Cancer Center in Boston, Massachusetts. When Gustavson started his treatment, his parents started the Henry Strong Fundraiser to raise money for research on Gustavson’s condition.
Gustavson’s oncologist, Dr. Salvia Jain, has been conducting this research. Dr. Jain is an assistant professor of medicine at both Harvard Medical School and the Mass General Cancer Center.
As of October 31, the Henry Strong Fundraiser has raised $40,415 out of a total goal of $45,000. Many Deerfield students, parents, alumni, and the family and friends of Gustavson continue to support the fund to help achieve this goal.
Gustavson attributes the success of the fundraiser to “friends, teammates, coaches, and teachers from both Deerfield and Middlebury.” He said, “They have been some of the most impactful in making donations and sharing my story and fundraising effort with others. Every donation counts, no matter how large or small – what matters most is participation.”
For Rob Gustavson, Henry’s father, the most rewarding part about the fundraiser is knowing that they are “making a positive difference for patients and families who will be in our situation in the future.”
Rob Gustavson said that he has learned a lot throughout this experience. “Henry’s situation is a good reminder that major life challenges can happen to any of us, at any time, without warning,” he said. “It’s okay to be upset, but it doesn’t help to try to find a reason or dwell on how unfair it seems. In any hard situation, you just need to do the best you can and stay focused on the things you can control.” He added, “It also makes a huge difference when you know you can count on the people you have behind you.”
Throughout his time at Deerfield, Henry Gustavson played as a pitcher on the Varsity Baseball Team and was captain his senior year. Due to his diagnosis, Gustavson is taking a year off from baseball and college. However, he intends to return to Middlebury and resume playing for their baseball team next fall for his senior year.
Henry Gustavson’s piece of advice to those in a similar situation is “to take things one day at a time, to lean on the people around you, and to look for the small positives even when things are tough.”
Rob Gustavson is deeply appreciative of all who donated, stating, “Their participation has lifted our spirits, and their generosity has been truly inspiring to Henry’s doctors. All of us are deeply grateful.”
Henry Gustavson’s final thank you is to “everybody in the Deerfield community for all their love and support through this process. Keeping in touch with friends, coaches, and teachers has made each day a little bit easier and has reminded me of what makes Deerfield such a special place.”
