Well, we've seen how finding the right kind of movement can make a difference in someone's life.

Now, another form of exercise helps a young cancer survivor give back.

In 2005, more than two million Americans were diagnosed with some form of cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common type for women.

Colon cancer for men.

Skin cancer is the most common overall.

But there are so many others, some you may have never heard of before.

Carolina Impact's Jason Terzis joins us now with our story.

- It's called rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells and soft muscle tissues and is most commonly found in children and young teenagers.

We came across a young man who dealt with this very disease as a baby, but now does what he can to help others.

(upbeat music) It's a scene repeated countless times.

- And we train six days a week.

- [Jason] Drennan Shall going to Swim Mac Carolina.

- We are in the pool for two hours most days.

- Tossing on his cap- - And then workouts for an hour after practice most days.

- [Jason] And leaping into the pool.

(water splashing) - Every day that I come to practice, it's really fun.

It might be challenging, but very fun.

- [Jason] The water, a place Drennan is pretty comfortable in.

- My passion continues to grow each day, and my love for the sport continues to flourish.

- [Jason] But the 16-year-old's journey to this place has been anything but ordinary.

- My husband and I just knew that there was something off.

So, one night my husband took him to the ER and they ended up doing a CT scan and saw a large mass in his left pelvis.

And that's honestly when our world changed.

At just 11 months old, Drennan was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

- A rhabdomyosarcoma pediatric tumor at the time when he was diagnosed did not have a great prognosis.

- [Jason] For the next year and a half, it was rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.

- I mean, of course, I have vague memories of being in a hospital surrounded by who knows what, kind of in the cancer treatment areas.

- [Jason] And just when doctors thought Drennan was out of the woods- - And then at his 12-month scan, they saw something.

And we knew at that point what that something was.

- The cancer had returned.

- The second round, he was around three and a half, and so that required surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation again.

So that was another year to 15 months of therapy until we kind of then again transitioned into surveillance scans.

And those continued for five years.

And admittedly, every scan was a huge anxiety point for our family because we knew that there was always a chance of recurrence.

- [Jason] Maybe it was his age or his disposition, but through it all, Drennan kept an incredibly positive outlook.

- [Amanda] He helped us get through it.

- [Jason] To the point it rubbed off on everyone around him.

- Drennan was always the type of kid who all the nurses wanted to care for because he was not afraid.

- But something that kind of repeats in my mind and kind of I'm reminded of constantly, is just the constant support of people in the community.

whether it was the doctors, the nurses, the staff, my parents, family members, friends, just the entire community just kind of rallying behind me.

- [Jason] In remission since 2013, Drennan is now living a normal life.

- Having kind of our perspective now, I think all those experiences of course, shaped who he is, his resiliency, his courage, his need to give back, his open heart, you know, all of his characteristics, I think of course, are shaped by the 16-year journey up to this point.

- [Jason] Through it all, Amanda Shall has kept the faith, wearing a bracelet that says, "Expect miracles."

She's had it on ever since Drennan was first diagnosed 15 years ago.

- I hope that it gives hope to other families.

- [Jason] The only lingering effects Drennan has is a weaker left foot and leg.

but thanks to a good orthotic and a brace, he gets along just fine.

- I have a fused ankle and it's a little bit harder for me to do certain things with ankle flexibility and different kind of mobility things.

I don't think there's really a clear reason why my leg is a little bit weaker.

It could have been something because of surgery, something because of chemotherapy, but that's not really the fault of the doctors and nurses who did an incredible job of kind of helping me through my treatments.

So, when I put my brace on in the morning, I don't think Why am I wearing a brace?

It's just kind of a part of who I am today.

And I think while of course, no one can expect to really be joyed by cancer, I think knowing my story and having what I have now gives me an appreciation of life.

- He continues to just embrace all the challenges.

- [Jason] These days, Drennan swims on the varsity team at Providence Day and competes as a Paralympic swimmer with Swim Mac Carolina.

- From as soon as I got in the water until now, it's just really a huge passion that I have.

- There has not been a single day where he said he doesn't want to come to practice.

- [Announcer] Good afternoon, swimmers, volunteers, spectators, special guests.

I'd like to welcome everybody to Swim Across America, Charlotte!

(crowd cheering) - [Jason] Drennan also serves on the Swim Across America Junior Advisory Board.

Swim Across America is a national nonprofit raising money for cancer research and treatments.

In less than 10 years, its Charlotte branch has donated more than $1 million.

- Swim Across America is a wonderful national organization.

Kind of our local chapter has embraced Drennan and our family.

- [Jason] In August, they'd honor Drennan by having him serve as the official drummer for the Carolina Panthers "Keep Pounding" drum.

- I mean, I remember being down on the field and surrounded by so many fans, and it was such a cool feeling.

But I think just the "Keep Pounding" tradition of being resilient and kind of continuing that legacy is just so important to the Panthers, and I think, Swim Across America and all of the patients and staff at Atrium Health really embody that spirit.

All of the money raised in Charlotte stays in Charlotte.

So it's a very community-focused kind of event even though they have national swims.

It's such an awesome organization.

It's such a great close-knit community.

Remember the junior advisory board, a group of like teenagers in the Charlotte area who kind of help organize and advertise and fundraise for the annual swim.

It's just really, it's awesome to know that there's so many people out there that really come together and support not only myself and my family, but also so many cancer patients across the US, across the world and it's awesome to know that there are organizations like Swim Across America who really support these people fighting through things that are life-changing.

- [Jason] Battling through cancer, beating it not once, but twice, and now doing what he can to help others.

Pretty inspiring for anyone, let alone a 16-year-old high school junior.

- I just love his optimism, Jason.

What else should we know about Drennan?

- Yeah, you kind of got a glimpse of that in the piece there.

He just has this wonderful mindset and attitude and now wants to help others.

Well, Drennan will be one of roughly 300 swimmers taking part in the Swim Across America Open Swim.

That's set to take place at Camp Thunderbird at Lake Wiley on Sunday, October 4th.

It will benefit Atrium Health Levine Cancer and Levine Children's Hospital.

So all the funds that they're trying to generate are going to go back into the community.

And they love the fact that it all stays right here in the area.

- Good to know.

Thanks so much, Jason.