By Iris Moore
BU News Service

During the fall of 2012, 16-year-old Dylan Flynn became a member of Boston University Men’s Basketball Team through Team IMPACT—a non-profit organization that matches kids facing life-threatening illnesses with college athletic teams to improve their quality of life. Reporter Iris Moore shares the story of how this young-boy’s relationship with the Terriers has helped him face a life-threatening illness.

More About Dylan’s Condition

At 10-months-old, Dylan Flynn was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis—an illness that causes invasive tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body.

Over the years, Dylan has dealt with a number of health issues related to his illness, including ADHD and a variety of learning disabilities. Consequently, Dylan has low muscle tone, which prevents him from participating in high-school competitive sports.

Despite his many challenges, Dylan has managed to maintain a positive outlook on life. According to his mom, Patty Flynn, “He has never let his struggles prevent him from attaining and being successful.”

In the spring of 2012, Dylan was diagnosed with a low-grade astrocytoma—a brain tumor located on the cerebellum—and forced to undergo surgery. Unfortunately, due to location, surgeons were unable to completely remove the tumor.

Currently, Dylan is being monitored by The Pediatric Brain Tumor Center at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. As of now, Dylan’s tumor has not grown.