Originally published January 19, 2012 at 8:02 PM | Page modified January 20, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Jake Finkbonner will be honored at Seattle Sports Star banquet
Jake Finkbonner, an 11-year-old who contracted a life-threatening, flesh-eating disease six years ago, will be honored with the Seattle Children's Inspirational Youth award at the Seattle Sports Star of the Year banquet Wednesday.
Seattle Times staff reporter
Sports Star of the Year
The 77th annual Sports Star of the Year banquet is Wednesday, honoring the best athletes, teams and stories from the past year.Where: Benaroya Hall, 200 University St. in downtown Seattle.
Tickets: Tickets to the awards show are $35; tickets for the awards show and the preshow reception are $75.
More information: Visit www.sportsstaroftheyear.org
Other Sports Star of the Year stories
Jake Finkbonner could be afraid to play basketball. But he isn't.
It was on a basketball court six years ago that Finkbonner contracted a life-threatening, flesh-eating disease called necrotizing fasciitis. Then 5 years old, he was knocked down during a game at the Boys & Girls Club and bumped his mouth on the base of the hoop. The quick-spreading bacteria entered his body through a cut on his lip.
Finkbonner, a Ferndale native, was hospitalized for a few months and underwent several surgeries as he fought to survive.
With his family praying by his bedside, Finkbonner defied the odds and recovered. And once able, he was eager to play basketball again — though his mother, Elsa, had to double check that he was ready.
"Jake, this is where you had your accident. Are you sure?" she asked.
"I'm not afraid of that infection," he responded. "I beat it once. I can beat it again."
Having returned to the sport he loves, the 11-year-old Finkbonner will be honored with the Seattle Children's Inspirational Youth award at the 77th annual Seattle Sports Star of the Year banquet Wednesday.
"He didn't allow (the disease) to stop him in pursuing what he enjoys so much and is passionate about," said Elsa Finkbonner. "This has done a lot to motivate him to keep going forward with following his dreams."
Jake Finkbonner's story has resonated internationally. Just last month, the Vatican declared that his recovery was, in fact, a miracle. As a result, the Catholic Church will canonize Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha — who the family prayed to through Finkbonner's recovery — as the first Native American saint. The Finkbonner family is of Lummi decent.
Locally, Finkbonner continues to inspire, as well. Recently, his family was approached by a woman who had been battling skin cancer. She said Finkbonner's recovery helped her conquer her fear.
Finkbonner, who turns 12 in a couple weeks, still has the scars from the procedures, but the wounds are only superficial.
"He still continues to live his life to the fullest," his mom said.
Joshua Mayers: 206-464-3184 or jmayers@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @joshuamayers.
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