Cancer can't banish teen's brave spirit

Rosa Ramirez, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 30, 2007 at midnight

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Wearing a blue rosary beneath his gray T-shirt with an Aurora Police Department logo, Miguel Pedro struggled to sit up in his hospital bed Monday at Children's Hospital.

The 19-year-old reached for his new police hat, still in its bag, and enthusiastically tried it on. His handcuffs, police badge and uniform patches were on his lap.

When he was certified as an Aurora police officer Thursday, he read everyone their Miranda rights and handcuffed his doctor, Tim Garrington.

"This is a dream come true," Pedro said Monday.

Why a police officer?

"To keep the community safe," he said. "Just to keep crooks out . . . to sneak up on them and catch them."

Last week was a whirlwind for the teenager. Pedro, who was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, was awarded an honorary high school diploma from Denver Public Schools on Friday.

And he was told by doctors that he has from several days to several weeks to live.

On Monday, James Seneca, an Aurora police officer who runs Cops Fighting Cancer, brought him a carrot cake to celebrate his badge and his diploma.

"We're on the same team now," Seneca told the teen.

Pedro replied, "I'm going to partner up with Seneca and keep the streets safe. I'll be his backup."

Seneca said Pedro has the spirit of a fighter who doesn't give up.

In August 1987, Seneca was diagnosed with leukemia and underwent grueling chemotherapy sessions. In 2003, he created the nonprofit and raised $250,000 to help others. He said 90 percent of the funds go directly to pay for families' most pressing needs, such as money for food, clothes, mortgage and car payments.

"I call it divine intervention," he said, adding that the organization has helped 50 families in Colorado with money and emotional support.

Pedro's mother, Maria Salcedo, 39, said "this has brought a lot of happiness" to her oldest son.

"It's something that was very important to him and very special to all of us," she said Monday in the hospital room.

For Pedro, receiving an honorary diploma sends a positive message to his younger siblings and other teens.

"Never quit school," he said. "You're never going to regret it."

Garrington said Pedro underwent chemotherapy in November for the tumor on his pelvis. But it didn't shrink.

About a week ago, Pedro was admitted to the hospital. The tumor had rapidly progressed. Instead of undergoing surgery that likely would cause him to lose a kidney and a leg, "he chose to enjoy whatever time he had left," Garrington said.

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