Most aspiring high school athletes grew up kicking soccer balls around or practicing their wrestling moves with their dads, but Michael Woulfe had a different kind of bonding with his parents, who were both diagnosed with cancer when he was a small child.

The 17-year-old from Oak Park, Illinois, has overcome adversity that would have beaten the spirit of many adults and has grown up to become not only a valedictorian of his high school, but also a varsity wrestler, and has now been accepted in the U.S. Naval Academy.

Police officers in Ohio are joining together to help one of their fallen comrades who is fighting for his life, RadarOnline.com has learned.

And, although this is no cop shot down in the line of duty, it is a hard working and valued member of the force --  Tommy, a K9 assistance dog with the Tiffin Police Department.

The seven-year-old Dutch Shepherd is suffering from Stage 4 Lymphoma, and without treatment he isn't expected to make it, FoxToledo.com reported.

Andy Whitfield has gone public with his latest battle against cancer, RadarOnline.com has learned.

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The actor who plays the title role in Spartacus, the hit series on cable's Starz network, won't be returning for a second season because he needs to devote full-time to fighting the disease.

"It's with a deep sense of disappointment that I must step aside from such an exceptional project as Spartacus and all the wonderful people involved," the Wales-born Whitfield said in a statement.

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"It seems that it is time for myself and my family to embark on another extraordinary journey."

Whitfield, 36, who now lives in Australia, had revealed in March that he was suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

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He has not said if this latest cancer is the same but it will require aggressive treatment, the statement acknowledged.

Whitfield, said Starz CEO Chris Albrecht, is "an amazing human being whose courage, strength and grace in the face of adversity have inspired us all."

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