Mountain Home Teen Cancer Survivor Beats the Odds

February 22, 2010

Featured on: Fox12Idaho.com

Article By: Mike Vogel

Mountain Home, Idaho -- When a Mountain Home teen was diagnosed with cancer, he didn't' let that stop him.

Ty Ulmer was diagnosed with cancer, osteosarcoma at the age of 13. Despite facing the toughest decision in his life, he had to decide whether keeping his leg was worth risking his life. Or, whether to let doctors amputate his leg below the knee.

"It was easy. I have my life and that's all that matters," said Ty Ulmer, matter of factly.

As you can imagine, when she heard the news his mom was devastated.

"It was kind of like a dream. I would wake up and wonder if it's real or not. That's what the past year has been like," said Kim Ulmer.

On Tuesday Ty got a new prosthetic.

"Every day is a little different. Some days it's swollen. Just different every day," said Ty.

When you talk to Ty, you get the impression he's done a lot of growing up in a short time.

"I was always like this," he says.

After everything they've been through, his mom has a very different outlook on life -- and a very deep gratitude for her son's life.

"It's just a leg. He has another," said Kim.

Ty has been named one of five ambassadors for St. Baldrick's, a foundation committed to wiping out childhood cancers.

"Just keep a positive attitude, that's about it," said Ty.

In the process he's become an inspiration to everyone around him.

One in five children with cancer will die. Today, Ty has no evidence of disease.

If you would like to support this cause, they're going to shave a lot of heads at The Knitting Factory on March 13.

For more information about the event, or to learn more about childhood cancer, go to www.stbaldricks.org.

Watch Ty's interview on the St. Baldrick's YouTube Channel.

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