ROBINSON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- John Challis' condition is worsening, but the inspirational Beaver County teenager is still spreading a positive message and trying to help others in his final days.

The John Challis Courage for Life Foundation announced a golf fundraiser for Aug. 25 at Chartiers Country Club in Robinson Township. Call 412-921-5360 for more information.

Challis, 18, of Freedom, has terminal liver cancer and could not attend his golf news conference on Monday morning.

"Breaks my heart," said Freedom Area High School baseball coach Steve Wetzel, who organized the media event and often visits Challis. "But what keeps me going is John's attitude. When I get there, I'm sad, and when I leave, I feel a little bit better."

The cancer has spread from the liver and lungs to other parts of his body, and he has taken to napping for several hours a day.

"We want to reach out to other families with John's message about how he deals with the news and the challenges he faces every day," said Wetzel.

While growing up, Challis always hoped to play sports one day. And despite his illness, which was diagnosed at age 16, he has been trying to make his athletic dreams come true.

Along the way, Challis has been reminding people to live for today because tomorrow is not promised to anybody.

Last fall, he spent a few plays with the Freedom football team. In the spring, when his body allowed, he participated in baseball.

He has been a guest in Penguins owner Mario Lemieux's box during a Stanley Cup playoff game, served as the Pirates' honorary manager at a home game with the New York Yankees and took a tour of Yankee Stadium with All-Star third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

While at Rodriguez's side in New York, Challis even got caught up in a crush of paparazzi who wanted to know about rumors of an A-Rod affair with singer Madonna.

"I guess I'm just a little surprised that people don't understand how easy I think it is for a young person such as myself to see a negative situation as positive," he said last month. "I mean, I don't know if I see it as positive, but I'm not complaining about it."

His foundation seeks to provide other high school-aged athletes who are fighting a terminal illness with an opportunity to take their minds off what they are going through -- "whatever the kid wants or needs," Challis said.

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