As high school graduates all over revel in their accomplishments, two young cancer survivors walk across the stage with a special appreciation for where they are and what's to come.
There was a time when Michael Rucci and Jenna Miller were told their chances were grim.
When Rucci of Staten Island, N.Y. was 16 years old, he fell ill while on a Mediterranean cruise with his family, SILive.com reported. He was air-lifted off the ship and eventually landed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, diagnosed with leukemia. The graduate of Petrides School told the Today Show how dire the situation was:
"My chances of survival were slim. The fact that I recovered so quickly is astonishing."
He spent three months at the center and is now in remission. Rucci told the Today Show how his experience has affected his outlook:
"We have stories, and our stories affect people. This graduation just shows everyone that we're meant to do something."
Cancer survivor Jenna Miller of Oxford High School in Connecticut, also a former patient at Sloan-Kettering, walked across the stage Thursday. Miller was diagnosed with what her parents were told was an inoperable tumor when she was just a toddler, according to the Today Show. But Miller underwent a 10-hour surgery and overcame cancer.
Miller used her senior capstone project as an opportunity to give back to Sloan-Kettering, Oxford Patch reported. She participated in Kids Walk For Kids With Cancer, organized by teens who have been affected by the disease. The funds raised go to research at the cancer center.
She also did a research paper on the benefits of charity events and worked with a mentor from the cancer center to create a formal presentation.
Miller told the Today Show her graduation was bittersweet.
"I'm thrilled that I'm walking across that stage, but I'm still going to be feeling remorse for all the kids whose lives have been lost."
Rucci will attend Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Miller will head to Morris College in upstate New York.
Support Miller, Rucci and other young cancer patients and survivors by contributing to Kids Walk For Kids With Cancer through the Impact links below.