The Tape Job: How Cancer Taught Tony Campisi to Redefine Heaven
Tony Campisi, a two-time cancer survivor, shares a story about hockey, resilience, and discovering that heaven doesn't have to look the same to still be heaven.
Diagnosed with an astrocytoma tumor on his spinal cord at age four, Tony lost the use of his left side and had to learn to walk — and skate — all over again. Through what he thought was "just playing games" in physical therapy, Tony fought his way back to the ice. With the support of a coach who believed in him when others doubted, telling parents "Tony's the toughest kid out there," he returned to competitive hockey.
For seven years, Tony played. Then came senior year, 2021. As an eighteen-year-old high school senior, Tony started losing grip strength in his left hand. His coach began taping his hockey stick into his hand just so he could play — not too tight, not too loose, just enough to keep him in the game. A routine MRI revealed the devastating news: cancer had returned, with fluid compressing his cervical spine.
In this episode of Life on Pause, Tony reflects on facing treatment the second time with full awareness, using humor to get through six weeks of proton radiation at CHOP, and playing his final game of hockey with his stick literally taped to his hand. Four years cancer-free, Tony shares how he's finding new ways to stay close to his heaven — whether skating, driving the Zamboni, or dreaming of coaching the next kid who needs someone to believe in them.
From the profound wisdom of his Make-A-Wish revelation — that he would choose his cancer journey again because of who it made him — to the powerful metaphor of "the tape job," Tony's story reminds us that adaptation isn't defeat. It's strength.
Thank you, Tony, for sharing your story and your voice.
Topics Covered:
- Tony's diagnosis with spinal cord astrocytoma at age four
- Learning to walk and skate again through physical therapy
- The power of mentorship and believing in young cancer survivors
- Cancer recurrence during senior year of high school
- The literal "tape job" that kept him playing
- Treatment with humor: Austin Powers and laser beams
- Playing his final hockey game
- Finding new ways to stay connected to the game
- The Make-A-Wish revelation: "I would still have it happen to me"
- Redefining heaven when everything changes
About Life on Pause: Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health's AYA Oncology Program, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community connection. Our content is reviewed by medical and psychosocial experts to ensure accuracy and care.
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