Boy Returns To School After 3-Year Battle With Leukemia And Receives A Standing Ovation

Jan 15, 2020 by apost team

There are too many stories in the news today about innocent children whose lives are destroyed or cut short by the ravages of cancer and leukemia. Luckily, when John Oliver Zippay was diagnosed with the disease three years ago, the young boy fought back and is now cancer-free much to the excitement of his peers.

Amidst all the stories of tragedy, sometimes there are stories that give us that glimmer of hope that we so desperately need. Meet John Oliver Zippay, a brave six-year-old boy who prefers to be called JO. When JO was three-years-old, he hit his head on his bed's headboard. While accidents like this happen all the time to rambunctious little boys, something odd happened in the wake of JO's injury. The bruise didn't heal or subside after several weeks.

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After a visit to the hospital and a whole host of tests, JO's parents got the worst news of their lives. JO was suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, as was reported here by ABC News. The next three years would be the hardest of JO's family's life. JO's cancer was aggressive, which meant it required steroids, radiation and chemotherapy. These invasive treatments took a toll on JO's body and mind. 

Although he had to take frequent absences for his treatment, he always worked as hard as possible to keep up with his curriculum. 

Finally, after a test that took three arduous years, JO was officially proclaimed cancer-free by his medical team.

When it came time for JO to show up to school on his first day as a cancer-free child, his teachers and classmates made sure that the moment was memorable for the brave little boy. As JO walked through the front doors and made his way to his classroom, he was greeted by faculty and friends standing in the hallway, cheering him on thunderously.

The applause and the cheers were well-deserved for this brave little boy. JO has a rich and full life ahead of him and we can't wait to watch him grow into the man he's supposed to be. Show this story to someone who needs a reminder that the world can be a truly beautiful place.