Maryland Trek
with Justin Berk
Age: 5
Type of Cancer: Rhabdomyosarcoma
Treatment Status: Completed chemotherapy and radiation
MDTrek 12 Team Route: Summit of Wisp to Cumberland
Total Miles = 41: 27 on foot, 14 on bike
See more about our Day 1 of the trek at the bottom of the article.
VIDEO
Maverick was just three years old when what seemed like a lingering cold turned into something much more serious. His mom, Angelina, trusted her instincts when his symptoms didn’t go away—months of runny noses and inconclusive test results finally led to an urgent care visit that changed everything. A provider spotted a small growth in his nose and urged them to see a specialist. Just days later, they found themselves at Johns Hopkins, where an MRI and biopsy revealed that Maverick had rhabdomyosarcoma.
The tumor filled 98.9% of his nasal passages, leaving barely a sliver of an airway. Because of its location, surgery wasn’t an option. Maverick began over a year of chemotherapy and two and a half months of radiation. His mom says he never let it slow him down. “Even when his treatment ended, he was ready to go full force back into all the things,” she said. “But the truth is—he never really stopped.”
Throughout treatment, Maverick kept the same bright energy. He wandered hospital hallways, played with his baby brother at home, and tackled every challenge with the belief that he was a superhero. In fact, after one surgery, a doctor told him that his port made him “Iron Man”—and Maverick believed it.
Today, Maverick is thriving. He loves football (especially the Ravens and Lamar Jackson), monster trucks, superhero movies, and swimming every day. He recently rang both the radiation and chemo completion bells, and he’s about to take his very first trip to the beach.
His family’s journey hasn’t been easy. Angelina was also caring for a newborn and navigating personal hardship during Maverick’s treatment. But she drew strength from Maverick himself: “If he can do what he’s doing, I can do whatever it is I have to do.”
One thing that helped along the way? The support from Just In Power Kids. Angelina said their help with hospital parking was an enormous relief—especially with all the unexpected visits and emergencies. “It might seem small, but it’s not. When you're already dealing with so much, that kind of support makes a huge difference.”
Maverick now proudly wears the title of Power Kid—and superhero. When asked what it means to be honored on Maryland Trek, he answered simply:
“Because I beat cancer. And I’m really brave.”
Team Route: Summit of Wisp to Cumberland
Total Miles = 41: 27 on foot, 14 on bike
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