Though it may go without saying, cancer is one of the most harrowing diseases to have to fight against.
Like other widespread issues like heart disease or depression, nearly everyone in America knows someone close to themselves who has struggled against cancer.
Every year, nearly two million more people get cancer, according to statistics from the National Cancer Institute—and about 600,000 people also die from it each year. Though there’s no cure for this disease as of yet, it seems that it helps to be surrounded by the love and support of family and friends.
In some cases, you may even get some additional support from a personal hero.
That was what happened to a seven-year-old cancer patient named Jeremiah Succar.
Succar was a patient at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles after being hospitalized with a rare form of brain cancer. The doctors diagnosed it as stage-four atypical rhabdoid teratoid, a tumor that attacks the brain and spinal cord.
Although that particular disease is a difficult one to recover from, Succar started going through his rounds of chemotherapy and remained as positive and optimistic as ever.
To boost his spirits, the hospital decided to call in a special guest to cheer him up.
The surprise was that they brought in singer-songwriter Rachel Platten to perform with him!
For those who don’t know, Platten signed with Columbia Records in 2015 and released her debut album “Wildfire” in 2016, which was certified Gold by the RIAA.
Still, she’s probably best known for her hit single “Fight Song,” which has been played on radio stations all around the world and covered by countless musical competition show contestants as well.
For Succar’s surprise, Platten sat right down on his bed to do a duet with him.
The song they chose to sing was “Fight Song,” which was all the more fitting given the circumstances.
The performance starts off quietly, with Platten gently plucking the strings and guiding the gentle melody alonrg. Although she begins by taking the lead on the vocals, she gradually opens it up so that Succar take the lead.
Together, their voices grow and grow together—and by the time they hit the chorus, they’re soaring together! Despite the difficult circumstances, Succar sings the song loud and proud.
Needless to say, the performance is so incredibly moving!
Although the performance took place in 2015, Succar’s story has continued well beyond then.
In 2018, the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles released an update video that Succar had completed his last round of radiation treatment! The video was released on World Cancer Day to raise awareness for the disease—though it was also a huge celebration for Succar in its own right. After years of grueling treatment, he rung the bell at the hospital with a huge smile on his face!
Needless to say, this story is so moving for so many reasons.
Although cancer is indiscriminate in who gets affected by it, it’s not unbeatable—and those with a strong spirit and plenty of love and support around them can still overcome it. Although it’s impossible to say exactly what effect Platten’s visit had on Succar’s recovery, it definitely seemed to help!
Thanks to Rachel Platten and Jeremiah on their great duet and congratulations to Jeremiah on completing treatment! Watch the full performance below:
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