Former Hesperia High School football player Adan Munoz dies from acute myeloid leukemia

Those who knew Adan Munoz remember him as a special individual.

Those aren’t words from just his mother, but his brother, friends, coaches, and peers.

Just about anyone who ever interacted with him might be able to share a story of a time Munoz made them smile.

“He was a special kid, and I say that not just me being his mom, but because of the type of person he really was,” Mariela Munoz said. “He always worried about everyone else but himself. Just the most humble and kind-hearted kid. Everyone he interacted with, I know he made an impact in their lives.”

Adan, who graduated from Hesperia High School last May, died from acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the bone marrow and blood, on April 15. He was surrounded by his family when he died at the age of 18.

Backing up Mariela’s words about Adan, Hesperia’s football coach Casey Goodnough called him a great young man.

“Always helping and volunteering at the school and in the community,” Goodnough said about his former player. “All his peers looked up to him for his great work ethic before getting cancer.”

Adan initially learned of the diagnosis in 2021, just before the start of his senior season, after what was originally thought to be a muscle strain from working out.

Called acute because of its rapid progression, the disease only accounts for about 1% of all cancers and is uncommon in people younger than 45, according to the American Cancer Society.

More: 'It's more than a game': Hesperia High football player battling leukemia is honored

Three rounds of chemotherapy weakened his immune system to the point where he contracted a lung disease and was admitted to the ICU. Then, in December 2021, Adan underwent his first bone marrow transplant treatment at the City of Hope National Medical Center.

“Then, after he got cancer they looked up to him more. Even on the toughest days, he smiled, and his peers saw him working through the pain and discomfort," Goodnough said. "He battled so hard, and even in the toughest time he smiled. He was always so thankful and appreciative. I'll tell you that he showed me how much love was in him and around the High Desert. Adan will always be special to me and the Hesperia Scorpion family. He was a fighter until the end. Never negative and never complained, just went day to day.”

While being forced to miss his final football season, he could continue his studies. He also attended his senior prom and, most importantly, graduated high school.

He almost didn’t attend this culmination ceremony due to his weakened immune system.

But Adan graced the stage emotionally for those who knew of his journey, especially Gustavo, who called the graduation his favorite memory of Adan.

“He graduated and still did school while doing chemotherapy, and through the adversity, he pushed through,” Gustavo said. “Just seeing his smile when he got his diploma meant everything to me.”

Gustavo received his second transplant last October. Adan and his family remained at the City of Hope and spent Christmas there.

But sometime in February, doctors discovered that some fluid had built up on the outer part of Adan’s heart.

“The doctor said there wasn’t anything else they could do other than manage it to buy some time,” Mariela said.

The time of his life

Adan loved the Seattle Seahawks. Russell Wilson, in particular.

So when Adan found out that the Seahawks would open the 2022 NFL season at home against the Denver Broncos, he couldn’t help but think of going.

After all, Wilson, who Seattle traded to Denver in the offseason, would be returning to Lumen Field sporting a new jersey. A jersey that Adan’s brother, Gustavo Munoz, had purchased, being a Denver Broncos fan.

Through Megan’s Wings, Adan could attend Seattle’s season opener on Sept. 12. Megan's Wings, based in Upland, is a non-profit foundation established in memory of 9-year-old Megan Savage, who lost her battle to leukemia in 2003.

Adan already planned on attending the game as a Hesperia alum, and former NFL player Marcel Reece secured two tickets.

“Megan’s Wings got in contact with Marcel and let him know that we are going to send four of us out there, paying for everything, the flights and tickets,” Mariela said. “Since it was a Monday night game, Adan was able to attend the Seahawks’ Sunday practice and got to meet Tyler Lockett and other players. He also had field access to the game.”

Adan was the happiest kid in the world, experiencing the game with his brother, Mariela said. Adding to the unique feel was Wilson’s return to Seattle.

“It was so special seeing him wear Wilson’s No. 3 Seattle jersey, with his brother wearing Wilson’s No. 3 Denver jersey,” Mariela said. “He couldn’t stop talking about that day. That experience, just seeing his smile as if he had no cancer cells in his body, and knowing he was enjoying it with his brother, is what I remember most about that experience.”

For Gustavo, it’s also a moment he will cherish for the rest of his life. Like his mother, Gustavo, in particular, remembers his brother’s smile.

“It was special since my brother could not believe he saw one of his favorite players growing up doing this for him,” Gustavo said. “The atmosphere was welcoming, and the Seahawks organization is amazing as well. Tyler Lockett really made it a special day for my family, and especially my brother.”

Adan’s memorial services

Adan will be laid to rest at Green Acres Memorial Park & Mortuary in Bloomington.

His memorial services are planned for May 1 and 2.

Mariela extends an invitation to anyone who interacted with Adan or was part of the extended support system the Munoz family encountered since his diagnosis.

“The support from everyone over the last two years has been overwhelming,” Mariela said. “So many people have supported my son's journey that I can’t ever thank enough. I want to make his memorial services special because Adan truly deserves it.”

There is a GoFundMe.com account created to assist the Munoz family with the funeral expenses.

As of April 21, the account has received just shy of $13,100.

“I want him to be remembered as a loving person who always cared about putting others before him,” Gustavo said of Adan.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Former Hesperia High School football player Adan Munoz dies of cancer