Home / Sports / Teen beats cancer, returns to volleyball court
Teen beats cancer, returns to volleyball court
8 Mar
Summary
- Teenager Finn Chapin bravely battled rare brain cancer.
- He underwent two major surgeries and a challenging rehabilitation.
- Finn is now back playing volleyball and aiming for varsity.
Finn Chapin, a junior at William Fremd High School, is demonstrating incredible resilience as he returns to volleyball after a serious health battle. In June 2025, Finn was diagnosed with pineoblastoma, a rare brain tumor, which required immediate emergency brain surgery to relieve pressure. This was followed by a second, nine-and-a-half-hour surgery on September 24, 2025, to remove the tumor.
His recovery was arduous, with initial challenges including difficulty speaking and moving. Finn spent time in a rehabilitation hospital, working to regain basic functions like walking and coherent speech. His family noted that physical therapy, including volleyball drills, was crucial for his recovery, particularly for restoring visual processing and eye movement.
Remarkably, Finn began training with the Pipeline Volleyball Club while still undergoing chemotherapy, impressing coaches with his dedication. He is now preparing for his junior season, setting his sights on making the varsity team. Finn hopes his journey can inspire other teens to share their struggles openly.
