Even now, two years after beginning his battle against brain cancer, tears come easily for 18-year-old Trent Miner.

They're tears of gratitude, tears that reveal an underlying respect for the good folks in Miner's hometown of Perry, Iowa.

"Living in a small town has been very beneficial to me," he says. "A lot of people, including those I didn't even know, offered their support. Word travels fast."

Miner was seen as a good kid-a church-going D.A.R.E. role model and National Honor Society member who played high school basketball, football, and golf.

The scary disease that changed his life first revealed itself as a spell or small, light seizure. "It felt like I was short of breath, almost a deja vu feeling, like I was in a dream," he says.

The seizures grew in frequency and intensity. Miner's diagnosis led to brain tumor surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, followed by radiation treatments and chemotherapy provided by Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at The University of Iowa. His radiation therapy was managed by John Buatti, M.D., head of radiation oncology and director of a highly advanced new Center of Excellence in Image-Guided Radiation Therapy scheduled to open in 2005.

Buatti and a team of colleagues attacked the tumor with pinpoint accuracy using a highly targeted series of 33 radiation treatments, each taking about 10 minutes.

Miner describes Buatti as "a really straightforward guy with a sense of humor."

"I liked him a lot," Miner says.

While Miner knew he was in good hands, he still faced the challenge of getting to and from University of Iowa Children's Hospital for all those treatments. While his parents were more than willing to take the time off necessary for that much travel, it didn't become necessary.

"Everyone in Perry was so anxious to help that a different plan fell into place," says Miner's mother, Joelle.

This alternative plan involved friends, relatives, and even strangers. All took turns driving a Volkswagen RV purchased by Miner's aunt and uncle. The RV had a 6 foot, 5 inch bed-plenty big for Trent's 6 foot, 3 inch frame.

Miner awoke at 3:30 every morning, climbed into the RV, slept awhile, woke up in time for therapy at University of Iowa Children's Hospital, got back in the RV for a little more sleep, and returned to Perry High School in time for class at 10 a.m.

Retirees, doctors, radio announcers, teachers, coaches, basketball teammates-32 different drivers in all-took the wheel. Altogether, they logged some 10,000 miles over a two-month period. One day, when the road conditions were bad because of foul weather, a local pilot flew Miner to Iowa City instead.

"We got cards, letters, e-mails, money, free fuel from businesses for the trips ... you name it," Miner says in amazement. "My teachers helped me with homework, my coaches were great, and my friends were always hanging around the house."

Miner didn't forget any of them when he returned to Iowa City this fall to attend The University of Iowa as a freshman. Though he's not out of the woods yet and continues to receive chemotherapy from pediatric oncologist Sue O'Dorisio, M.D., at University of Iowa Children's Hospital, he's already thinking about helping other cancer patients, if needed.

"If what happened to me happens to someone else in the future, I'll be there to help," he declares. "I'd like to help someone else the way others have helped me."