Young Boy Who Overcame Cancer Gets Warm Welcome From His Entire School Upon Return

Jul 03, 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, since 6-year-old John Oliver Zippay was diagnosed with the disease in 2016, the young boy has fought back and is finished with chemo as of December 2019. After his last round of treatment, John Oliver's classmates at St. Helen's Catholic School in Ohio welcomed him back with a standing ovation.

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 6-year-old boy who prefers to be called JO. When JO was 3-years-old, he hit his head on his bed's headboard, CNN reports.

While accidents like this happen all the time to rambunctious little boys, something odd happened in the wake of JO's injury. JO was lethargic, his face became discolored and his doctor called instructing his parents to take JO to the hospital, according to CNN.

apost.com

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 reported 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.

JO has a rich and full life ahead of him, and we can't wait to watch him grow into the man he's meant to be. Do you know someone who has survived their battle with cancer? Let us know and pass this story along to someone who needs a reminder that the world can be a truly beautiful place.