Cancer Survivors, Jenna Miller And Michael Rucci, Overcome Odds To Graduate

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.

Comments

[gravity defiant]

06:14 PM on 06/24/2011

Interesting. My comment that this is apparently a plea for money for charities disguised as a feel-good article got deleted. Nice one, HP. (Let's see how long this comment lasts/if it makes it up at all.)

[gravity defiant]

07:55 PM on 06/24/2011

Oops, never mind. It just took five hours to get posted.

[gravity defiant]

04:04 PM on 06/24/2011

Wait--is this an inspirational story or a plea for donations? I have no issue with either, but I'm a big fan of truth in advertising. So maybe the headline should be, "Here's why you should donate to Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer."

[radmul]

03:51 PM on 06/24/2011

With more than 50% survival rate at 5 years being the current norm these folks are the rule not the exception. Thank you medical science.

[Jabandit]

02:25 PM on 06/24/2011

Great story... but I have perhaps a controversial comment.

What the hell else are these kids supposed to do with their time besides study?? I mean look at Stephen Hawking who admittedly said, "If it weren't for my condition, I wouldn't have spent the amount of time I have contemplating the origins everything around us."

It is awesome that they went on to finish college enduring cancer, I've had a friend do it to. It gave him something to look forward to and actually helped him recover more quickly.

So if anything, I would reccommend to all of my cancer patients (if I had any) that they continue their education while they physically mend themselves.

Anyone out there have any comments or rebuttals?

[Teresia]

03:28 PM on 06/24/2011

At the age of 63, 2007, I was diagnosed with Stage 3C ovarian cancer metastisized to the liver and omentum and some abdominal lymph nodes. I underwent two surgeries followed by six courses of chemotherapy treatment. Then last spring, I had a recurrence and went back on chemo treatments, continuing to work full time and going back to school to finish my Master's degree. I graduated last month. It is likely I will be on and off chemo therapy for the rest of my life, but the key word here is "life". I decided a long time ago i was NOT going to let this horrible disease rule my life and take time away from my family and two awesome grandchildren. I continue to work full time at a job a love, running a research lab. In November it will be four years since my diagnosis. I think any cancer survivor will tell you that a positive outlook and facing your enemy head-on, not to mention wonderful family and friends, and the determination to live your life as normal as possible, makes a tremendous difference. Sometimes the difference between life and death.

[claryssa]

01:44 PM on 06/24/2011

I am a survival, also from Memorial Sloan Kettering. The best hospital in the world!!!

[oldgeek1]

01:16 PM on 06/24/2011

The worst thing a cancer patient or their family can do is give up hope. As difficult as it is, you have to continue to live each moment, hope and believe that you will have a future. The sad thing is sometimes life will be cut short but continuing to look forward is the right thing to do. Been there. Oh by the way, for those who rail against Obama's health care reform that helps to ensure that those who have these problems will not find their insurance cancelled or denied because of a pre existing condition.

[claryssa]

02:10 PM on 06/24/2011

After cancer, I faced the horror of losing my job and later my health insurance...
Other insurances either denied my application or the cost were extremely high. I was young and so scared! To make a long story short, I pay the cost of healthcare insurance, and I am not fully covered... I am glad there's a healthcare reform. It might not be perfect, but, it's a relief for those who need it.

[tracyamanda]

03:22 PM on 06/24/2011

I wish the US had free healthcare like we do in Canada. My father had cancer 4 different times and his treatments cost us nothing. His pills were also very affordable. I can't imagine having to go through this all the while worrying if you're going to lose your home etc.

[EmmaDarian]

02:44 PM on 06/24/2011

As a 34-year cancer survivor (I had it in high school, too) who has a lot of late effects of treatments, I wept with relief when healthcare reform passed. There were a couple of things in there that directly eased my mind.

[Hlynn]

11:52 AM on 06/24/2011

These young people seem to have a perspective about life that many never obtain. That they have defeated a serious disease and seem to have an appreciation for life and what they've accomplished, with the help of others, will serve them well in life. I'm glad they were willing to share their private triumphs publicly. I've never heard of Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer before, and it's good to know that young people can support each other in their own way, with their own organization. I wish both these graduates long, happy, healthy lives.