Six year old Emma Harris of Batavia rang the victory bell at Roswell Park in Buffalo today with cheers from doctors, nurses, family, friends and strangers.
(Emma with her grandfather Tommy Hatcher Sr.)
On January 17, 2015, Emma was diagnosed with Pre B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and on April 20th, 2017, Emma had her last chemo treatment.
She will have to continue to have lab work once a month, just to make sure she remains cancer free.
(Iris Hatcher, Hassan, Emma and Athena Nesbeth)
So far she has been “all clear” and no more chemo or treatments, says her mom Iris Hatcher. Renee Nesbeth, Emma’s Aunt, says, “This has been a long two year journey and I am so happy that this little girl doesn’t have to go through this anymore. God answered all of our prayers and I believe that this is it for her”
(Hassan, Emma, and Iris Hatcher)
Emma has been super excited all week and talking non-stop about ringing the bell and getting to go to Chuck-E-Cheese to celebrate with her brother Hassan, he is just as happy his sister that she is finished.
Through her tears, Emma’s mom says that she is overwhelmed with emotions and thankful to God for helping them through this entire journey. She said that she gives all her thanks to him, because without his grace, she doesn’t know if they would have been able to get through this.
Hatcher is also full of thanks and gratitude for a community that supported her and the family. She thanks the Michael Napoleone Foundation, Batavia Bulldawgs, Batavia City Schools, CJ Plumbing, Make-A-Wish, Camp Good Days, PUNT Foundation and so many other people.
“I would not change residing in the city of Batavia,” says Hatcher.
“The city really showed their love for Emma, Hassan and myself throughout the whole process. It wasn’t just us going through this, it was the entire town. I cannot thank Batavia enough”.
(Photos, Video and Story by Julie Carasone)