A Different Kind of Superhero

Описание: IOWA CITY, IA (CBS2/FOX28) In 21 years of the University of Iowa's Dance Marathon, twisting participants have raised more than $14 million for the University's Children's Hospital and kids fighting pediatric cancer. Those efforts have spread around the world, but also just around the corner.

Iowa s Dance Marathon is well-established but West High is just three years into the tradition, and already pulling in large chunks of cash. They more than doubled their fundraising total from year one to year two, helping people like Austin "Flash" Schroeder and his family.

Just like some of the best nicknames, Austin Schroeder s came on a baseball field. It was after practice when he ran the last leg of a relay against the fastest kid around.

Flash ended up beating this kid and the coach said 'that's it, I've never seen anybody beat this boy, his name is 'Flash, and from there on, it stuck, said Flash s Dad, Craig.

Since then, he was the kid who was faster than everyone else, until April, when at age 14, Flash needed new superhuman powers when he was diagnosed with cancer.

I just couldn't believe it was happening to him, said Cody, Flash s 12 year old brother.

"It was what you would consider is the worst nightmare, said Craig.

It could always be worse. That's what Austin always says, it could always be worse, said C.J., Flash s best friend.

Flash is a super hero and that's really what he's become to so many people, said Craig.

Through chemo that makes him weak, and pills by the handful, we love him because he's showing us no matter how bad things are, be thankful, said Craig. Find something to win today and keep plugging away tomorrow and to never give up.

So at West High, where Flash would be a Freshman if he were healthy, the goal was substantially easier to reach. Dance for six hours, raising money for people like the Schroeder s.

"We as a family going through this can already see as we're in the hospital where those dollars are going to, said Craig.

It goes towards buying equipment, expanding facilities and furthering research, mobilizing people with flash's story, to help someone later.

I want to do this to help people beat cancer and save their life, said Cody.

I can be honest and tell you that for several hours today, my son is not going to be thinking about having cancer and how bad it is, said Craig.

Giving Flash, and his family a break , and a few more shoulders to lean on.

We were always a huggy family to begin and now it feels like that's all we ever do, said Craig.

West High raised $67,837. All that money, along with what gets raised in about 50 similar events all over Iowa and Illinois, goes into the University of Iowa Dance Marathon on February 6th.