Being a father of five kids I know. I know the joy when my cute little girl kicks in her soccer goal or gets that perfect score on her math test. I also know the pain, the sadness, the depression, and I know how brutal this world can be.
What I don’t know is what it’s like to have a beautiful, perfect 6-year-old who also has CANCER! I can’t possibly imagine what 6-year-old John Zippay of Newbury, Ohio and his family have gone through.
John’s friends call him J.O. and this past holiday season he spent in the hospital. He went through so much poking and prodding and chemotherapy session after session. J.O. finally finished his last Chemo session and he was more excited than you’ll ever know to get back to some kind of normality. With kids, school is a big part of that normality. Especially when you’re six. Hey, it’s still fun then right?
J.O. has leukemia and for years he hasn’t been able to do what most kids can. Here’s a quote from his father…
“He had a meta-port in his chest so he wasn’t able to do any physical activity for three years. So it was hard for him, had to sit back for gym class and things,”
The hope is that now this little guy can get out there, play in the dirt, toss a ball, and just BE A KID! He’s on a good path. Done with chemo and a school full of friends that have his back. Check out J.O. as he enters his school hallway below. I’m so happy for him. I’m so happy for his family. And I’m so happy that he has so many wonderful people surrounding and supporting him.
