DUNCANVILLE – Students in the band room at Reed Middle School are busy rehearsing for pep rallies and Regional competition these days.
The Fight Song is a tune that can be heard playing over and over. It is a fitting song for these young musicians because The Reed Middle School Band has been supporting one of their young players, Angel Nuncio, during his fight with cancer this school year.
”The doctor was saying I cannot go to school, I cannot play my saxophone," Nuncio said.
The 14-year-old eighth grader has been going through rigorous chemotherapy treatments for bone cancer.
The accomplished musician recently got the all-clear for limited visits to campus, but his family says, doctors are cautioning Nuncio about playing the saxophone, an instrument he loves.
“He loves his music,” said band member Fabiola Rivera. “He has the real passion for it.”
Nuncio's band mates say his passion for music is what is pushing him through his health challenges.
The teen calls music his therapy, and Nuncio believes it is helping him heal.
“Even though I get so tired, most of the time, when I feel energetic I play my piano," Nuncio said.
Reed Middle School’s band members have been a big source of support for Nuncio. The group designed t-shirts in his honor.
“It says Banding Together to Beat Cancer,” one of his peers explained.
The band has been selling the shirts to help Nuncio's family cover medical bills.
“Seeing him like this is just a miracle,” said Nuncio's mom as she fought back tears.
Nuncio's mom is emotional, yet happy watching the band surround him with love.
During a brief break from the class, Nuncio was determined to pick up his saxophone and practice a tune. He’s planning to participate in the "All Regional" competition in a couple of weeks.
Nuncio says he’s going to fight all the way to that competition, in order to reach his goals.
A @DuncanvilleISD middle schooler uses music as therapy as he fights bone cancer. We'll show you how Reed M.S Band is supporting at 5p #wfaa pic.twitter.com/GRStchen1f
— D Fernandez (@DemondFernandez) November 1, 2016
