Had Lucas Files not endured a battle with leukemia, it’s very likely he wouldn’t be the young man he is right now.

“I’d probably be less kind, less empathetic,” said the 12-year-old from Stafford Township. “I have a lot more respect now for people going through any kind of medical condition. If I didn’t go through it myself, I’d feel sorry for a person, but I wouldn’t get it. I wouldn’t want to go through it again, but the experience definitely has defined me.