Volunteer Spotlight: Chase Lock

At the age of two, Monday 2 Littles facilitator Chase Lock was diagnosed with a brain tumor, specifically Childhood Choroid Plexus Carcinoma (CPC). While other toddlers were learning to walk, he was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. At five, he experienced a relapse and spent ten months living at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, once again undergoing intensive treatment. He remembers it as a period when he “lived in a hospital,” often traveling out of state for specialized care.

Middle school coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, adding another layer of disruption as he began learning online. By eighth grade, his cancer returned for a third time—this time as a salivary gland cancer. He returned to Phoenix for treatment at the Mayo Clinic while continuing to manage his schoolwork and stay connected with classmates. Throughout high school, he worked to maintain academic momentum alongside ongoing medical care.

Chase experienced another relapse requiring surgery in Minnesota to remove his salivary gland. He and his mother then relocated to Minnesota, where he underwent another round of chemotherapy and radiation. During this time, he found comfort in small moments of escape—in a tiny den where he would retreat to play video games on a bean bag chair, watch movies, and read. During his most recent treatment in New York, he created his own version of a nest in his room where he could enjoy what his peers enjoy. A lifelong horror film fan, he found that genre especially helpful in taking his mind off treatment. One of his hospital rooms was even decorated in a Halloween theme, reflecting that passion.

“Through these painful situations, I kept pushing to survive,” Chase says.

Chase and his family were former participants in our Pathways program, where they experienced firsthand the grief and support services offered to families navigating serious medical diagnoses. Today, Chase serves as a facilitator for Monday 2 Littles, consistently showing up ready to play, engage, and hold space for children in the group. Even during parts of 2025 when he was undergoing treatment in New York, he returned to his role whenever he could.

“I remember being that kid,” Chase says. “The kids come in with such heavy hearts. When we are chasing each other, I hear them laugh, and it makes it all worth it.”

Outside of his volunteer work, Chase enjoys catching horror films at AMC Foothills or grabbing a meal at Arby’s. He also has a well-known appreciation for 7-Eleven, where he delights in the variety of snacks and drinks options.

Looking ahead, Chase will begin the Accelerated Pathway to Medical Education (APME) program at the University of Arizona. This seven-year program sets him on a path toward oncology, where he hopes to support patients from the other side of the care experience.

“I want to see patients behind the charts, telling them that I fight for you and with you,” Lock says.

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