Columbia County Patriots United soccer player Peter Kwon has worn his uniform countless times in the past three years. Saturday, however, was the first time in as many years that he has worn his jersey on the field.

Peter, 13, of Martinez, wore his uniform during months of rehabilitation at Shands Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla. He was flown there from Medical College of Georgia Hospital after his heart stopped in November 2003, and he had a heart transplant there the following March.

His coach, Ken Shugars, who had gone to visit his team's leading scorer, said he got choked up when Peter's nurses told him he wore his soccer apparel every day.

For Peter, however, his wardrobe was a practical matter.

"Soccer clothes are comfortable. All the T-shirts I have are soccer," he said. "And I love my team."

Peter not only has come back from transplant surgery. He is a cancer survivor as well.

He was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a bone and tissue cancer, in November 2002. He underwent a bone transplant in his upper left arm at Emory University Hospital in March 2003.

But Peter also needed a new heart after the intensive chemotherapy treatments that killed the cancerous cells in his arm also destroyed his heart.

The Riverside Middle School eighth-grader had to wait a year after the transplant to get medical clearance to play soccer again. Even though he officially rejoined his U14 team in a 3-0 victory in the Aiken Soccer Cup tournament, he never really left.

"He's been on the roster the entire year," Mr. Shugars said. "He was never off the roster. No one can get his number 17. That's Peter Kwon."

Peter was excited about playing in the tournament again.

"I feel great. ... It brings a lot of memories," he said. "The smell of the soccer field just gets me going. Feeling the excitement. Being with teammates."

He said his main goal for the day was to have fun. However, he also wanted to help his team.

"I'll try to score some goals, I guess, because it's soccer," Peter said before the game. "You need some goals to win."

He had one shot on goal, but teammates Yu Ametani, Tyler Sanders and Kyle Gebhard did the scoring for the Patriots.

Peter still needs to build up his stamina, and he can lift his left arm only about shoulder height. His quickness and speed, however, have not abandoned him.

After the game, his coach said Peter would improve every week.

"I was very proud of him. The winning and losing didn't mean a thing today," Mr. Shugars said. "Him stepping on the field - that's the greatest gift I've ever had as a coach."

Fortunately for Mr. Shugars, Peter, who also plays tennis and golf, said soccer is his favorite sport.

"I love to be in shape. It's cool to do stuff with your feet," he said. "And when you score a goal, it feels just great."

Although many young athletes dream of pursuing a professional sports career, Peter has other aspirations.

"I'm going to be a pastor when I grow up just like my dad," he said. "I've got a lot of things to say."

His father, Douglas Kwon, is the minister of Korean Zion Methodist Church in Augusta.

When asked about the message he wants to share, Peter did not hesitate with his response.

"I want to tell people that God is just good. You've got to be thankful for what you have," he said. "Live by faith and the Bible."

Peter said his goals for the year are to "try to be in shape, study hard and be a good Christian."

Even though he was afraid and angry when he first got sick, he said, his faith in God sustained him.

He said he realized everything would be all right after his mother, Young Kwon, started reading Bible verses to him.

"Even if I died, I knew I'd go to heaven," Peter said.

For now, however, he will have to find his little piece of heaven on a sweet-smelling soccer field.

Reach Betsy Gilliland at (803) 648-1395, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.