When Nowak's platelets get low, hemorrhaging occurs in the form of dark red, rash-like blotches all over his legs, arms, chest and back. Plus, he has dealt with leg pain this season from compartment syndrome that developed in the spring.
Despite this, he has run cross country and track, and swam all four years at Wheeler. In making it to the top of Mount LeConte, he proved something to himself.
“It was definitely one of the hardest things I've ever done,” Nowak said. “I've been through so much with ITP, and I think it can just symbolize how if you keep pushing through things, you can make it and keep doing what you want to do.”
- By Robbie Weinstein for nwitimes.com. Photo by Robbie Weinstein.