HERSHEY, Pa. — Ten former Penn State Children’s Hospital cancer patients gathered at the Tree House Café to celebrate school graduations — and survivorship — at Four Diamonds’ annual ceremony on June 19.
Jeremiah Brown, a Four Diamonds child and physical therapy student at Messiah College, was the keynote speaker. He described his experience transitioning from a teen oncology patient who didn’t think he’d live to graduate high school to an adult college student and cancer survivor.
Ninety people attended the event, including 10 graduates — nine from high school and one from college. All have plans for the next stage of their lives, including one who plans to attend medical school for pediatric hematology and oncology.
Each received a gift bag that included a graduation certificate and a portfolio to use for school or jobs.
Carrie Perry, a former TV correspondent on ABC27’s “Good Day PA,” emceed the event. Dr. Pooja Rao, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist, presented on the challenges adolescent cancer patients face in completing their high school educations.