(Chad Juros • March/April) The power of the media is indeed a magical tool.  I was approached to be part of Criss Angel's Mindfreak television show on A&E.  Criss wanted to show the world how when everything in life is so chaotic he always felt it was magic that calmed him down and brought him peace.  While expressing his  desire to have a show about this subject matter Johnny Thompson and Lance Burton shared with Criss that they knew someone whose true life story depicted that  exact scenario, me.  When I was three I was diagnosed with cancer… (read more)  

When I was treating for my cancer relapse three years later my Dad (a dentist who dabbled in magic) decided to teach me magic as a way of diverting the stress of the disease while I would lie in the hospital bed for 17 months.  He felt it would be a healthy diversion in my very unhealthy life at the time (chemotherapy and radiation treatments).

Magic became my reason for living, my lifeline to the illusions in life and misdirection of my disease.  Once I was strong enough to get out of my hospital bed for brief periods, I started to perform in the hospital's playroom, then for the doctors, nurses, staff, etc. 

Years later, when I was released from the hospital for outpatient care, I continued my magic studies and was featured in local newspapers, television shows and at community libraries, block parties and school assemblies.  It was then that my father collapsed and was diagnosed with brain cancer. 

This time the doctor's told my family that there was no magic bullet; there is no hope or cure for his disease. Before my Father died he made a couple of wishes for my family and me.  For me his dying wish was - to be considered cured (which I am) and continue to "spread my magic" across the world in the hopes that everyone can find the magic in their own life as I did. 

Three years after my Father died, I underwent emergency brain surgery as a result of the seven years of cancer treatments.  Before the neurosurgeon wheeled me into the operating room I begged him "please don't take the magic away from me, its all I have left of my Father".  It was soon after that when I received the call from Criss Angel.

Criss invited me to perform on his show staging it around making my Father’s wish continue to come true.  He flew Mom and me to Las Vegas and surprised us with one incredible magic opportunity after another.  His production staff was amazing.  I had one on one private instruction with Banachek, Dexter and Luke Jermain.  I had intense meetings and creative sessions with Johnny Thompson and Lance Burton.  I felt so appreciative and was soaking up all the magical memories.  Then Lance Burton was gracious enough to allow me to perform on his stage at the Monte Carlo Casino.  I was 17 years old and my name appeared on lights on the marquee on the Las Vegas strip.  

Once the show aired (Season Two) the phone went ballistic.  Within seven minutes of the episode airing I was hired around the world.  The future Prime Minister of Aruba hired me for the ill children of his island. My Mom and I flew to Aruba, all expenses paid to an all inclusive resort and I performed for the Haitian churches at Christmas plus the children who were patients in the hospital that week. 

In addition, private companies hired me for their corporate events all over the country and I made a special appearance at the White House.  I had already performed there a few times by special invitation of President and Mrs. Bush but the airing of Mindfreak had me invited back for a special event. 

From the kindness and generosity of Criss Angel extending his invitation to have me on is show and then opening the door the experience has lead to me other open doors. I still receive requests from people both via email and phone.  They now watch my episode on reruns and with each rebroadcast I hear from more events.

In addition, wherever I am, someone always seems to recognize me from being friends with Criss Angel. I am the official magician to the Philadelphia 76ers, Eagles Fly, Flyers and work for Richard Petty of the NASCAR world's fundraising events.  I am a magician to Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and Ronald McDonald camps.  I am currently a full time college student and a full time performing magician.  

I believe that the experience of the opportunities Criss afforded me has added to making my father's dying wish a reality. With each magic performance, I believe my father is adding the abracadabra and mysteries to my life.  You can learn more:

http://www.magicalchad.com/
http://www.spreadthemagic.org/ 

Sidebar Notes

   
In 1991, at the age of three, Chad Juros was diagnosed with leukemia. In 1995, at the age of seven, he relapsed. For 17 months he lived as an inpatient in the cancer ward of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. There, he and his family fought the good fight, which included having to learn how to walk and talk again because of the devastating side effects of the drugs that were intended to cure him. Tubes were attached so he could breathe and eat.

Through the ordeal, he experienced cardiac arrest, coma, and underwent numerous surgeries and multiple blood transfusions.  While he was fighting for his life, his Father would use magic to distract hime from the fear and pain he had to endure. While receiving cancer treatments he would lie in the hospital bed and practice making magic  for hours a day.

Each week, his Dad would teach him new tricks to master. In 1998, at long last, he was released from the hospital. That same year his dad collapsed and was subsequently diagnosed with a malignant brain  tumor and died on January 17, 2000, leaving behind his Mom, Penny and his  sister, Faith and Chad.

In January 2003, he began experiencing severe headaches. Doctors determined that he was bleeding from the brain and underwent emergency brain surgery. When he awoke from the surgery deficit free he decided to make his father’s dying wish his living challenge. That wish was for "Chad to be considered cured and continue to spread the magic". 

Subsequently and with the help of his Mother, Chad formed the Spread the Magic Foundation.  Their mission is to spread magic to children with cancer across the world. We do this by providing live magic shows to children with cancer at hospitals, hospices, camps and foundations.  We also provide funds for pediatric cancer research. 

This nonprofit charitable 501(c)(3) foundation was formed and is being dedicated to the memory and wishes of his Dad, Dr. Donald Juros (1958-2000).  You can learn more and perhaps hold a Spread the Magic fundraising event at your school by visiting

 http://www.spreadthemagic.org/

Spread the Magic Foundation
c/o Penny Juros
150 Rochelle Drive
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
609-926-1763
email:
Penny@Spreadthemagic.org
SpreadtheMagic@aol.com