Every now and then, God allows us to celebrate a soul She has blessed this world with who makes us appreciate the gift of life, the courage of the human spirit and what it means to have people in your life who you can proudly call your friends.  Refuah Shlema Jake Baily -MG)

(REPRINTED FROM THE NOVEMBER 11, 2015 OF THE DAILYMAIL.COM)

‘They told me I wouldn’t be here tonight’: The heart-wrenching speech of a head boy, 18, told he had just three weeks to live who beats the odds and graduates from high school

• Jake Bailey, 18, was diagnosed with a deadly form of cancer one week ago 
• He was allowed out of hospital to give a speech at his final assembly 
• The inspirational speech challenged the audience to seize every moment
• It was met with tears, a standing ovation and a spontaneous haka 

A head boy who was given three weeks to live after being diagnosed with deadly cancer just before his high school graduation has defied to odds to give a heart-wrenching speech to his classmates.

Jake Bailey, 18, made a surprise visit at the Christchurch Boy’s High School assembly in New Zealand despite being told by doctors that he ‘wouldn’t be here tonight to deliver this speech’.

In an astonishing display of bravery, he attended the assembly in his wheelchair and challenged his classmates and teachers to take hold of their lives and be ‘passionately dedicated’ to the now.

He made his speech just days after being told he had weeks to live if his cancer was not treated, Stuff.co.nz reported.
(Be sure to watch the moving final 5 minutes of this video)

 

Spring, 2017 update: They’ve made a movie about Jake’s successful battle with cancer!

 

Great feature story on Jake:  https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/biggest-battle-rebuilding-myself-jake-bailey-life-after-cancer