Erin BreenChannel 2 News
You might know it looking at him today, but the president of the Associated Students of the University of Nevada has overcome a lot to get where he is.
When he was just 11 years old, Casey Stiteler was diagnosed with a germ cell brain tumor and spent a year undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
While such a medical hurdle would slow some down, it only helped Stiteler see that success is a mindset. "I think it's hard not to let it cross your mind that this could be it," he said. "But you really have to focus on success and getting by one day at a time. And my family and the community was so supportive it really helped me do that."
After high school he went to the University of Nevada and eventually fell in love with law.
He was always involved with events and planning there, but this past year he served as the ASUN President. Politics may not be where he ends up but for now he's focused on law school in the fall and just seeing where it takes him.
While undergoing treatment, he got a lot of help from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Angel Kiss Foundation and the Washoe Little League.
He also gives back. He says his biggest hurdle during hospital stays was combating boredom so his family created a non-profit called Casey's Project. Every year they collect and give thousands of dollars worth of games, toys and books to local pediatric hospital wards.
