Dylan

After two years in remission, Children’s Health℠ patient represents the hospital as FC Dallas Unified Team athlete

Dylan Esteron, 21, had to step away from exercising to focus his energy on fighting cancer. This September, he’ll serve as the Honorary Captain of the Match during FC Dallas’ Kick Childhood Cancer Night.

Dylan Esteron’s love for sports spans back to when he was only 5 years old. He moved a lot for his dad's job — playing in different states and even in Japan — but sports were a constant in his life.

After playing soccer for several years, Dylan decided to give running and cross country a chance. He trained every day and ran 5-minute miles for track by the time he was a senior in high school.

After he noticed a discomfort in his chest, his family decided to take him to the hospital. An X-ray and CT scan revealed Dylan had a large mass the size of a fist growing along his chest wall.

Following a series of tests, physicians confirmed he had Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma, a rare, fast-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Dylan had to stop exercising and step away from the sport he’d grown to love. He also was unable to finish his senior year along with his classmates.

“I just tried to stay positive,” Dylan, 21, said. “But I was sad at this point that I couldn’t run during that time.”

Shortly after the discovery of his cancer, Dylan’s family decided to transfer him to receive treatment at the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Health. A leader in patient care, treatment, research and training in pediatric oncology and hematology, the Gill Center brings national and international expertise through its affiliation with UT Southwestern and the Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, setting it apart from other sites for pediatric cancer care in the region. 

From common blood disorders to the rarest forms of cancer, the Gill Center continues to offer comprehensive evaluations, innovative treatments, long-term care and access to the latest clinical trials.

After getting a port surgically placed, Dylan began several rounds of chemotherapy, transfusions and hospital stays.

While at Children’s Health, Dylan bonded with his care team over his passion for sports and running, played board games and kept up with his favorite teams.

“There are so many moments that stuck with us because the nurses were so kind,” said Tara Esteron, Dylan’s mom. “We never felt like we were a burden. I called a lot, and they did everything they could to make Dylan comfortable.”

Children’s Health’s team members ensured Dylan could attend his high school’s graduation ceremony, prom and his track team’s banquet, she said. When he came back to the hospital, people stopped by to congratulate him and say they were proud of him.

Unrestricted philanthropic support enables Children’s Health to find new treatments for tough diagnoses like Dylan’s; improves patient experiences during hospital stays; and allows us to invest in new initiatives and life-saving research.

Dylan celebrated two years in remission this August and has since played flag-football, basketball and bowling at the Special Olympics’ local delegation.

Through his teammates, he soon heard about the FC Dallas Special Olympics Unified Team and decided to try out for the program. Dylan was excited about the possibility of returning to the first sport he ever played.

Dylan now plays as a midfielder and forward on the team and proudly boasts the Children’s Health logo on his jersey.

“It means a lot to me because Children’s Health saved my life,” he said.

With his history at Children’s Health and as a patient there, the full-circle moment felt “so meaningful,” Tara said.

"We didn’t know that Dylan was ever going to compete again,” Tara said. “It’s amazing to see him out there playing and enjoying it.”

In efforts to raise funds to combat childhood cancer during September, Childhood Cancer Awareness month, FC Dallas will host its Kick Childhood Cancer Night on Sept. 21 at Toyota Stadium.

Dylan will serve as the Honorary Captain of the Match, presented by Children’s Health.

Artwork designed by a Children’s Health patient will serve as the Matchday Poster for the evening and will be available for purchase at the stadium, with proceeds benefiting Children’s Health.

Kick Childhood Cancer-themed tops will also be available for purchase at the stadium’s retail locations, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Children’s Health.

Read more patient stories like Dylan's to learn how Children's Medical Center Foundation impacts the lives of North Texas children.