Shawnee High School senior Josh Borrelli is a hoops sensation, inspiring the community of Medford, New Jersey by recently scoring 1,000 points in his career with a two point bucket against Cherry Hill West Tuesday night.
However it is how he handles adversity off the court that has inspired the entire country. Borrelli suffers from a rare disorder called Mucha-Habermann.
It affects the body's T-cells and causes lesions to develop all over his body, unless he goes tanning.
"Everyday I have to go to a tanning salon for eight minutes a day and each night I have to take a pill before I go to bed," Borrelli said.
The treatment seems odd in a state where lawmakers are working to put restrictions on tanning salons, but family members said doctors recommended the tanning treatment because UV rays help keep the lesions from developing and make his body healthy.
Borrelli said he takes it all in stride.
"As I look at it, it's just another bump in the road. There's people out there who are a lot more worse off than me," he said.
Borrelli's story has been seen on national television and covered in many newspapers across the nation. He said he wants to raise awareness about the condition and help others like him.
He first noticed an outbreak of lesions back when he was in eighth grade and his parents thought his case might have been the only one in the nation.
His dad David Borrelli said current treatments are working and the condition has gone into remission for now.
In the meantime Josh Borrelli said he looks forward to changing lives and continuing to play basketball.
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:50 AM EDT2013-05-16 15:50:32 GMT
Parents, ever wonder what kind of crazy stuff your kids are trying when you're not around? Some are harmless. But we'll show you a few that are really dangerous.
Parents, ever wonder what kind of crazy stuff your kids are trying when you're not around? Some are harmless. But we'll show you a few that are really dangerous.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:49 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:49:13 GMT
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer.
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer. Jolie's not the first woman to do it, but she may be the most high profile. Her decision is touching off a serious conversation about the preventive measure.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 10:57 AM EDT2013-05-14 14:57:52 GMT
Angelina Jolie has gotten a surgery she hopes will save her life. The actress says she had a preventative double mastectomy after finding out she carried the breast cancer gene.
Angelina Jolie has gotten a surgery she hopes will save her life. The actress says she had a preventative double mastectomy after finding out she carried the breast cancer gene.
Monday, May 13 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-13 17:53:44 GMT
Mother's Day just wasn't the same for Olga Ortiz of Newark, NJ. She said her daughter Melissa Rodriguez of Collingdale, would have spent the holiday weekend with family up there, but has not been seen
Police consider rebooting investigation of missing Delco mother as her mother marks Mother's Day without her.
Sunday, April 7 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-04-07 21:32:07 GMT
A Philadelphia firefighter from Ladder 27 died fighting a three-alarm blaze Saturday night in the city's Queen Village neighborhood. A second firefighter was injured.
A Philadelphia firefighter from Ladder 27 died fighting a three-alarm blaze Saturday night in the city's Queen Village neighborhood. A second firefighter was injured.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:28:06 GMT
Rain moved in Saturday afternoon and the chance for it will stick around through the seven day forecast.
It becomes very unsettled across our area with clounds and showers again Sunday. The best chance for rain is in the morning and afternoon thunderstorms are possible towards our south.
Sunday is cool but we do warm up well into the 80s by Tuesday. With the warm weather comes a better chance for thunderstorms.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:38:13 GMT
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:23 GMT
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries.
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries here and make their getaway.
