February 1, 2026
By Lin Sue Flood
A quiet backyard suddenly burst into song with the stirring brass of John Williams Star Wars theme recently, transforming a regular afternoon into a Galactic Symphony. For 26-year-old Anthony Castle, a lifelong Star Wars superfan, it was like watching the magic of the big screen come to life.
Through a unique partnership between Hospice of the Valley and the Phoenix Symphony, six professional musicians arrived at Anthonys home to perform a private medley. To the delight of Anthony who proudly wore his Baby Yoda T-shirt several of the performers arrived in character, dressed as Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker.
This special concert was the latest example of Anthonys determination to overcome Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare and progressive genetic muscle disease. Despite his life-limiting illness, Anthony and his family have built a legacy of adventure. He was the subject of a documentary chronicling his journey to the floor of the Grand Canyon, and with the help of the Yarnell Fire District and a dedicated team of supporters, Anthony reached the end of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Memorial Hike in 2024.
The backyard concert was the idea of Hospice of the Valley social worker Lisa Maddock and nurse Kirsta Johnson, who also surprised Anthony with a personalized portrait of himself as a Jedi Master, lightsaber in hand.
Anthony is a wonderful young man who has accomplished so much in his 26 years, Lisa said. We have now checked Jedi Master off his bucket list!
As Anthony chooses to focus on quality of life, his family and care team are ensuring that every remaining moment is living life large. In a galaxy that can sometimes feel dark, Anthony continues to remind those around him that kindness and the human spirit just like the Force are remarkably strong.
Visit hov.org for more on Hospice of the Valleys palliative, dementia and hospice programs.
