With chemotherapy and other medications pumping away at his bedside at Children's Hospital of Orange County in Orange, Chase Crawford-Quickel gets a hug from one of his teachers at Aliso Niguel High School, Cindy Wright, after receiving his diploma.
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PHOTOS: In a fight for his life

With chemotherapy and other medications pumping away at his bedside at Children's Hospital of Orange County in Orange, Chase Crawford-Quickel gets a hug from one of his teachers at Aliso Niguel High School, Cindy Wright, after receiving his diploma.

With chemotherapy and other medications pumping away at his bedside at Children’s Hospital of Orange County in Orange, Chase Crawford-Quickel gets a hug from one of his teachers at Aliso Niguel High School, Cindy Wright, after receiving his diploma. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Chase sits in the hallway with his mother, Kim Quickel, at the CHOC Cancer Institute waiting for a meeting with the doctor handling his case. Chase has been battling cancer since he was 13, and his mother has been writing a blog about the experience.

Chase sits in the hallway with his mother, Kim Quickel, at the CHOC Cancer Institute waiting for a meeting with the doctor handling his case. Chase has been battling cancer since he was 13, and his mother has been writing a blog about the experience. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

"I just ... think about the future, like fishing and hanging out with my girlfriend," Chase said. "I don't really think about the present."

“I just ... think about the future, like fishing and hanging out with my girlfriend,” Chase said. “I don’t really think about the present.” (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Chase battles a fish while out with his friends off the coast of San Clemente. He wanted one more fishing trip before going back to the hospital for another round of chemo.

Chase battles a fish while out with his friends off the coast of San Clemente. He wanted one more fishing trip before going back to the hospital for another round of chemo. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Kelsey Wilkenson checks her messages while having a small dinner party in Laguna Niguel for Chase, her boyfriend, who is taking in one last fun evening with friends before reporting to the hospital for more chemo.

Kelsey Wilkenson checks her messages while having a small dinner party in Laguna Niguel for Chase, her boyfriend, who is taking in one last fun evening with friends before reporting to the hospital for more chemo. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Kelsey sits beside Chase during his chemo session.

Kelsey sits beside Chase during his chemo session. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Medicines flow through a series of pumps as Chase sits in his hospital bed.

Medicines flow through a series of pumps as Chase sits in his hospital bed. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Kim Quickel relies on her faith and her blog in dealing with Chase's ordeal.

Kim Quickel relies on her faith and her blog in dealing with Chase’s ordeal. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Tubes will provide an instant conduit for the chemotherapy Chase receives.

Tubes will provide an instant conduit for the chemotherapy Chase receives. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Chase holds his graduation tassel while Charles Salter, principal of Aliso Niguel High School, presents Chase's diploma to him in the hospital.

Chase holds his graduation tassel while Charles Salter, principal of Aliso Niguel High School, presents Chase’s diploma to him in the hospital. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Chase has a laugh with his nurses during chemo.

Chase has a laugh with his nurses during chemo. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Kim tries to hide her fears in front of Chase. "When you have a son who is going through this and is diligently strong, it would be hypocritical for me to have a pity party," she says.

Kim tries to hide her fears in front of Chase. “When you have a son who is going through this and is diligently strong, it would be hypocritical for me to have a pity party,” she says. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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