Peyton Richardson was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in January 2015. For the next two years, she and her doctors at Texas Children’s Cancer Center worked together to combat her disease. On May 15, they won their fight and Peyton rang the end-of-treatment bell in front of a crowd of friends, family and clinical staff in the Cancer Center’s infusion area.
During an emotional speech, Peyton thanked everyone for the help they gave her along the way.
“Without my cancer journey, I would not have met some of these amazing people,” she said through tears. “I love everyone here so much. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Peyton’s primary doctor at the Cancer Center, Dr. ZoAnn Dryer, said Peyton’s bell ringing signifies the completion of two and a half long, hard years of treatment.
“This is it,” Dryer said. “From here on out, it’s just blood counts and check-ups.”
Carrie Richardson, Peyton’s mom, said the fact that her daughter is cancer free hasn’t really hit her because her family has been on the road to recovery for so long.
“It’s overwhelming,” she said. “We are just so thankful for everything that Texas Children’s has done for us.”
Roger Richardson, Peyton’s dad, expressed his appreciation as well.
“I’m very happy,” he said. “I’m so glad Peyton is here and has gotten to this point.”
To read more about Peyton’s path to recovery, including her being chosen to ride on a float at the 127th Rose Parade for Northwestern Mutual, and her writing and recording a song with Dr. Jennifer Arnold, click here and here.