the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Jim Grasso Classic marked a significant moment for Ridgewood senior basketball star John Jackson—without him even playing a single minute. Diagnosed with Stage 4B Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Jackson watched from the stands as the Maroons dominated Clifton with a 35-0 victory.
Jackson, who came to support his basketball teammates and get some fresh air, is on a challenging journey. With two rounds of chemotherapy completed and about ten more to go, he remains confident. “I will be back soon,” Jackson declared. “People need to know that. I am ready to get back for the first game of basketball season, I am very, very confident.”
Ridgewood basketball coach Mike Troy, who was also present at the game, shared Jackson’s determined outlook. “He looks at this like it’s a contest and a game, and every game he’s gone into, he says he’s going to win. This is no different.”
Last season, Jackson played through the pain, leading Ridgewood to a North 1, Group 4 sectional title, despite suffering from night fevers, random aches, and a misdiagnosis of mono. He scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half of the sectional final against East Orange, then continued to excel in AAU basketball over the spring and summer.
“He averaged 23 points with cancer,” Coach Troy remarked.
By mid-July, tests revealed the true cause of Jackson’s symptoms—Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While the Stage 4 diagnosis was alarming, the cancer is treatable. It started in his lymph nodes and spread to his chest, but Jackson found some relief in finally having a game plan to tackle it.
Since his diagnosis, Jackson has maintained his daily workouts, even shooting jumpers despite the soreness in his elbow. While chemotherapy can be harsh on the body, Jackson has been managing well and hopes to attend school in person a few days a week, depending on his doctors’ advice.
“I feel pretty good right now,” Jackson said. “The first week was a little rough, but I handled the second treatment pretty well.”
Mentally, Jackson is staying positive, understanding that his strength is crucial for his family, especially his mother, who recently lost her own mother to cancer. “I have to be strong for them,” he explained. “And the other part is basketball. I want to get back on the court as soon as possible, so I have to stay tough in my head.”
Coach Troy has also drawn inspiration from Jackson’s resilience. “It’s very weird; we should be helping him, but he’s helping us. It’s a testament to how strong-willed he is.”
As Jackson faces this battle with the same determination he brings to the basketball court, the entire Ridgewood community stands behind him, confident that he’ll return to the game he loves stronger than ever.
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God Bless You! Keep a positive attitude! You will overcome!