‘Having cancer, it doesn’t have to stop you’: Student, who battled leukemia for four years, graduates from Philadelphia high school after winning prom king title
- Tom Sweeney graduated from Philadelphia Performing Arts, A String Theory Charter School on Friday
- Sweeney was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 13 and spent close to four years in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- He had been in remission for two years
- ‘I want to be an inspiration to other people but I didn’t think this many people would be interested in little old me,’ Tom Sweeney said
- Sweeney was also named his school’s prom king
A Philadelphia student managed to not only beat leukemia but also wound up becoming his high school’s prom king before graduation.
Tom Sweeney graduated from Philadelphia Performing Arts, A String Theory Charter School on Friday. He had been in remission for two years.
‘I want to be an inspiration to other people but I didn’t think this many people would be interested in little old me,’ Tom Sweeney said to WPVI.
Tom Sweeney graduated from Philadelphia Performing Arts, A String Theory Charter School on Friday
Sweeney was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 13 and spent close to four years in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
And while he tackled cancer, the student made it a point to focus on his goals. He’s an inspiration for those who know him, with Sweeney’s dad referring to him a superhero.
‘I wouldn’t say superhero, I like to just show other people and other kids and families who are going through this that it doesn’t have to limit you,’ the graduate added. ‘Having cancer, it doesn’t have to stop you or make it to where you can’t do everything just like everyone else.’
Sweeney was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 13 and spent close to four years in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
‘I want to be an inspiration to other people but I didn’t think this many people would be interested in little old me,’ Tom Sweeney said
His mom, Debbie Reilly, shares that she periodically didn’t believe her son would survive his fight with cancer.
Sweeney was also named his school’s prom king. (pictured at last year’s prom)
‘Every possible side effect you could get, he got it,’ she explained. ‘He had to have total body radiation and then he relapsed and then had had to have a bone marrow transplant and then last year he had bilateral hip replacement due to the chemotherapy eating through the joints of the hips, but here he is today.
In addition to graduating high school, the diligent student was also named his school’s prom king.
‘Proud, proud, humble, just love I can’t explain it. It is just a dream,’ his dad, Tom Sweeney, said.
Sweeney is ready to take that next step with his life, looking forward to whatever obstacle comes his way.
He said: ‘There are days where you think man, this is a lot and it is tough, can I do it. You have to tell yourself I can and I will. It is the only way to do it.