WATCH: Adorable, Courageous 9-Year-Old Celebrates Being Cancer-Free
When JaKiah Collins’ dad took her in for what presumably felt like a routine pre-kindergarten checkup, their worst fears were realized. When the doctors first noticed that something was wrong, they believed that Collins might have nothing more than a minor infection. It wasn’t a minor infection; Collins, just 4 years old at the time, was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer.
Collins underwent many chemotherapy treatments, and the young girl’s disease understandably began to take a toll on her entire family.
“I’m combing her hair … and of course I’m coming out with globs,” Crystal Collins, JaKiah’s mom, said. “She just looked at me and said, ‘Mommy, will God bring my hair back?'”
But this painful, heartbreaking story couldn’t have a happier ending. Five years after receiving the diagnosis, the now-9-year-old JaKiah went to her doctor’s office for a checkup. After nervously awaiting the results of her ultrasound, JaKiah was blessed with the best news one could possibly wish for: She was cancer-free!
“I just got done from my appointments, and today, when Dr. Becton came in, I found out that I’m five years cancer-free!” JaKiah excitedly proclaims in the video below.
The five-year mark was an incredibly important one, as cancer is far less likely to return in children after it’s been gone for five years.
“All clear! All clear! All clear!” JaKiah happily announces in the video below as she rides in the back seat of her parents’ car, balloons fittingly surrounding her.
Make sure to watch the full video below and SHARE JaKiah’s inspirational story with your friends and family!