A 17-year-old cancer patients was able to fulfill her dream of graduating high school in a special ceremony before she died. Kalamazoo Central High School Principal Valerie Boggan personally presented Yeatise Gaines with a cap, gown and certificate of completion at the hospital on May 14, ahead of the scheduled June 4 commencement.
School administrators, teachers, and more than 20 family members gathered around Yeatise's hospital bed to celebrate her accomplishment. She passed away the next day.
'It was always something she wanted to do,' Yeatise's mother Santasha Gaines told MailOnline. 'If she made it this far she didn't want to leave this earth without the diploma in her hands.'
Ms Gaines says her daughter dreamed of studying oncology in college so she could help children with cancer, just like herself.
Yeatise has been battling cancer since she was just 18 months old, and it was the radiation treatment that sent her cancer into remission but weakened her lungs and ultimately killed her.
The teen asked to be taken out of school for the third time after Thanksgiving, but the dedicated student continued her studies through home schooling.
Her tutor, Ruby Sledge, told the Kalamazoo Gazette that she was focused girl who took school very seriously. Ms Sludge also admired the way Yeatise would stay strong even through the most painful periods of her illness. 'I never heard her complain,' Ms Sledge told the Gazette. 'I would give her an A plus on attitude. 'This was a case where the teacher learned from the student,' Sledge said. During her long battle with cancer, Yeatise underwent 10 surgeries, was in crutches for four years and had severe back pain. Her mother is just glad that her daughter is no longer feeling that pain. 'She's just happy now that she's with the lord,' Ms Gaines said. 'No more suffering for my daughter period. No more.'
| Posted: at | |
Chylove247
luckysky
Davi85
daveobahon
okuboye
Judeana
lufad
Bankable
Aobitex
richi192
Chericoco
sexydarlin
Larry28
paulohking
Topsylucas
cocoeni
akinmanchy
TRENDING GISTS 
Zamfara NSCDC Apprehends Motorcycle Snatchers, Restores Peace In Gusau
Tragic Tanker Explosion Claims Lives In Delta State, Including Mother & Child
Actress & Entrepreneur, Wofai Fada Announces Engagement With Stunning Beachside Photos
"I Told My Wife Whenever I Slept With Another Lady" – Charly Boy Shares Insights On Activism, Marriage, And Gender Roles In Candid Interview
Veteran Actress, Shan George In Desperate Plea As Fraudsters Clear N3.6m From Her Bank Account (Video)