Avenel Boy, Cancer Survivor, Honored During Rutgers Game

AVENEL, NJ — An 8-year old Avenel boy who survived a cancer diagnosis was honored as the “Shining Knight” of the match during the Rutgers vs. Illinois wrestling match last month, on February 7.

The boy is Ryan Terebetsky. On March 11 of last year, Terebetsky, then 7, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

His family chose to have him treated at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.

That was where Ryan received a month of intensive chemotherapy treatments, multiple blood and platelet transfusions, along with many oral medications to fight the disease under the expert care of a team of pediatric hematologists and oncologists, including Drs. Jocelyn Lewis, Susan Murphy and Peter Cole.

Ryan’s cancer was deemed in remission by his doctor on April 18, 2019.

For his Shining Knight of the Match celebration, Ryan (accompanied by his family) was brought onto the mat in between matches at the Rutgers Athletic Center last month. Ryan was met by the Scarlet Knight mascot for a special Knighting ceremony, where he was saluted, raising his sword in triumph to a rousing ovation from the fans present that day.

However, the battle is not over. Since then, Ryan continues to receive weekly medications at home and at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. He will receive these treatments until April 2021.

Through all of the challenges he has faced, Ryan continues to have a wonderful outlook and always has a smile on his face. He loves being outdoors, playing on his Little League baseball team and cheering on his 13-year-old sister, Abigail.

Ryan’s family and friends wear wristbands that read #RyanStrong and “One Tough Kid.” He truly is one tough kid.

Shining Knight of the Game is sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health. Each child who is recognized as a "Shining Knight of the Game" will be permanently enshrined in a Rutgers Athletics facility, recognizing their courage.