Updated February 8th, 2021

College Athlete on TikTok Uses the Outdoors to Keep an Upbeat Mindset as He Faces Bone Cancer Diagnosis

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Parker Morgan's Cancer Journey

Parker Morgan, then 19, was diagnosed with bone cancer in April 2020 after experiencing severe pain in his right shoulder.
Morgan, a college athlete, says being outdoors has helped him stay confident during his cancer journey. He continues to stay active by skiing, hiking, skating, biking and surfing.
His video on TikTok after a major shoulder surgery was viewed more than 4.1 million times. Morgan says the love and support he has received from TikTok is “overwhelming.”

Parker Morgan, then 19, was having a lot of pain in his right shoulder. Doctors discovered a tumor in his scapula (shoulder) in April 2020. After two biopsies, Morgan was diagnosed with bone cancer. Doctors told Morgan, a Division I athlete who ran track at Utah Valley University, that he would never be able to hurdle again. He was devastated.

“At the time my whole world was turned upside down,” Morgan says. “Athletics and being active is a huge part of my life.” His arm was amputated to remove some of the cancer. His TikTok video after the surgery, in which he is making fun of a strange noise coming from his new shoulder, has been viewed more than 4.1 million times. Morgan, now 20, says the support and love from his TikTok community helps him get through the tough days.

Being in nature also helps him to keep a positive outlook on life. Morgan, who currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, loves being outdoors as much as he can. Everything from skiing to hiking to skating with friends. “Being outside has definitely helped me through this process,” Morgan says. “If I’m inside all day, that’s when I get into a depressive faith. When I’m busy, I am contributing to my life, to other people. They’re building me up.”

When he went in for his last scans in October 2020, he says he was expecting to be declared cancer-free. However, the news was not good. Doctors confirmed that the cancer metastasized or spread from his bones to his lungs. “I thought it was over, but I still have so much fight left in me,” Morgan says.

Last month he started chemotherapy to slow the growth of the tumors in his lungs. “This isn’t going to kill me. It’s something I am going through,” Morgan says. “It is definitely super hard. Some days aren’t easy. I have already learned and grown so much from this experience but I know this next challenge is going to make me stronger.”

Morgan is an inspiration to his nearly 46,000 followers on TikTok. “I can’t run anymore, but I bike a lot now. I do 10 to 15 miles a day. There are tumors all throughout my lungs. I’m going through chemo right now,” Morgan explains. “To be honest, that has just pushed me so much more. To finish the 10th mile faster than yesterday.” He has graciously agreed to allow us to use his content in order to help our community.

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Noorulain Khawaja is a freelance multimedia journalist. Read More

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