When he was 11 years old, Gabe was diagnosed with a brain tumor called an astrocytoma. For his family, the diagnosis was a shock. His physicians found the tumor on the right side of his brain, where it was impacting his growth and putting him at risk for long-term side effects, including loss of sight and hearing.
As the Tesch family researched additional treatment options after surgeons removed the bulk of the tumor, they learned about proton therapy to target the remaining tumor cells, while minimizing potential damage to surrounding, still-developing tissue.
SCCA Proton Therapy Center is located hours away from their home in Spokane, so Gabe’s mom, Sherrie, their dog, Angus, and Gabe made the trip to Seattle to stay in town for treatment.
Chasing a new dream: Formula car racing
As a childhood cancer survivor, Gabe got to experience a Wishing Star Foundation trip to a Formula 1 race. He immediately fell in love with the racing atmosphere and looked up to the drivers, who “seemed like superheroes.” He decided that this was the future he wanted to pursue.
Gabe bought his first go-kart the following winter and began spending more and more time practicing. He also began exercising and weightlifting at the gym several days a week to build strength and endurance for racing. Besides helping Gabe succeed on the track, his focus on fitness assisted his recovery and even led to a growth spurt.
Most competitors start racing as young as 7 or 8 years old; however, Gabe’s cancer diagnosis and treatment meant he didn’t start competing till he was 15. Rather than holding him back, these challenges only increased his motivation to succeed and overcome the odds.
Today, Gabe says he’s “living the dream.” He is celebrating his recent high school graduation as he prepares to take the next step in his career: open-wheel Formula car racing.
