By Katie Vasquez
Gratitude was the focus of Mrs. McMahon’s class in St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy on Friday, a lesson that Jimmy O’Neill, a 7th grader at the school, has learned the hard way.
“I know to not to take life for granted and just be thankful for everything you have in life,” O’Neill said.
Unlike some of his peers, he was thrilled to be back in school for 7th grade an experience he’s missed out on.
“Very, very exciting. I mean, I haven’t had a first day of school since third grade,” O’Neill said.
In May 2021 at 8 years old, he received a devastating diagnosis when a tumor was found on his kidney.
“They came back and they said, ‘ Jimmy, you have cancer.’ I was kind of shocked because I thought this would be very rare for a kid to get cancer,” O’Neill said.
The 11 year old missed part of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade as he received chemo and had his kidney removed. Unfortunately the tumor returned and he went through more radiation before a stem cell transplant in 2023.
“Wow, you’d rather be in school than just stay in a hospital all day long,” O’Neill said.
During that period, his family says faith held them together.
“I wholeheartedly know that all the prayers and us remaining faithful and positive is what healed Jimmy. I know he is a miracle. And you have to believe in them because God gives them and he, Jimmy’s an example of that,” said Kerri O’Neill, Jimmy’s mother.
And the parishioners of St Francis de Sales Church say there were signs from the Lord that got them through.
“On March 27th of 2024, we had scans which were clean, which ironically was the same date that we first walked into Sloan-Kettering. So I feel that these are signs for us that God is telling us everything is going to be okay,” Kerri said.
Jimmy has had clean scans since then.as he prepares to think about his future, he’s learned to appreciate every day that comes.
“So just always be kind to the people you’re close with, and even if you’re not close with, just be kind and love everyone,” O’Neill said.