Devon Still, the former defensive lineman who played for both the Cincinnati Bengals and the Houston Texans, has the internet in a puddle of tears. On March 26, the retired NFL star posted a moving video in honor of his daughter, Leah, who recently celebrated eight years of being cancer-free.
Still shared the video on Twitter, where it's since gone viral
"Sometimes you have to look back at your life to remember just how far you’ve come," the proud father wrote. "Help me congratulate Leah on 8 years cancer free!!!"
Sometimes you have to look back at your life to remember just how far you’ve come. Help me congratulate Leah on 8 years cancer free!!! pic.twitter.com/f88Q1aB619
— Devon Still (@Dev_Still71) March 26, 2023
The clip itself features a compilation of moments from Leah's cancer journey, which began when she was just 4 years old.
According to USA Today, doctors diagnosed the little girl with neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that develops in a part of the peripheral nervous system called the sympathetic nervous system. On average, it is diagnosed in about 700 children in the United States each year.
Leah was forced to undergo a grueling treatment plan
First up was a lengthy, seven-hour surgery to remove a tumor from her abdomen. Then, the 4-year-old endured five rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiation.
In November 2014, Leah underwent a state-of-the-art stem cell treatment in hopes of regenerating her bone marrow.
In the clip posted by Still, Leah is shown at various stages of her cancer journey
Despite losing her hair and becoming weaker, the little girl is seen smiling, laughing, and dancing while in the hospital room. At one point, she even self-administers medication and then declares, "All done!"
After enduring the grueling treatment process, Leah was officially declared cancer-free in 2015 and has since gone on to live a full and happy life.
But what makes Still's recent video even more moving is that while videos of a younger Leah play in the foreground, we also see a much older Leah reacting to the clip in real-time.
"Dad, why did you make it so emotional," Leah tells her dad while watching the clip. "I literally have mascara on."
Fans have been reacting to the father's video for days now
"Life affirming and just plain beautiful," one person responded to Still's tweet.
"Man this story… her journey… God is good," added someone else. "I was pulling and praying so hard."
"Congratulations Leah!" tweeted another person. "Nothing but love and continued blessings to you and your family."
