Teen Fighting Cancer Doesn't Miss A Beat In Class Thanks To 'V-Go' The Robot
CHESTER, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A local teenager is in the fight of his life against cancer but thanks to a robot, he's keeping up in school.
As CBS2's Cindy Hsu reported, V-Go the robot has been helping 14-year-old Sabastian Quinn go to school from home as he undergoes treatment for cancer. He was diagnosed just six months ago.
"It was during football season and I noticed a big lump on my leg and I thought it was a bruise or something swollen," Quinn said.
Web Extra: The Valerie Fund | Quinn's Go Fund Me
It was non-Hodgkins lymphoma and thanks to the charity The Valerie Fund, Quinn has been able to stay active in school through V-Go while undergoing chemotherapy. The robot goes to class for him and the 8th grader controls everything from a computer at home.
"You can move the camera up and down, you can zoom in and out, you can move throughout the hallways," Quinn explained.
"He can ask questions, he can answer questions. You almost don't even notice he's come in because it's quite normal," history teacher David Leckie said.
His friends said there were some growing pains in the beginning.
"At first we had to guide him through the school and make sure that he doesn't hit the wall and stuff," Vincent Esposito said.
Now, Quinn is a pro. He and his family have started a GoFundMe account to raise money to buy more robots.
"We're trying to raise enough money for another robot which costs around $6,000," Quinn said.
The goal is to help other kids fighting cancer go to school.
"What Sabastian is doing in support of other Valerie Fund kids is just unbelievable," Barry Kirschner with the Valerie Fund said.
Quinn recently had his last round of chemotherapy and hopes to be back in school in person soon.
When he returns to class, Quinn's V-Go will go to a first grader in another school.