In April this year, three little girls warmed hearts worldwide with one powerful image.
The trio to your left hadn’t met before this picture was taken. They didn’t know each other’s backstories. They weren’t related by blood.
And yet, this one image of these three little cancer survivors clutching onto each other for dear life, stayed with people long after it left their news feeds.
It so beautifully captured the truth that “sometimes strength comes in knowing that you are not alone”.
The three girls are Ainsley Peters, 4, Rylie Hughey, 3, and Rheann Franklin, 6. All fighting cancer. All at an age where they should have been blissfully unaware of what that word even means.
And though at times they felt scared and misunderstood, when photographer Lora Scantling brought them together, they formed an instant bond.
This week, after months of wondering how the best friends have been, there’s been some happy news.
All three girls are currently in remission.
For the first time, these friends who’ve been through the cancer roller coaster ride holding each others’ hands, have together come out the other side. They’re a little worse for wear, as expected. But for the most part? They’re thriving.
Three-year-old Rylie, who had kidney cancer, has not slowed down at all despite the rounds of medication and loss of her hair, her family happily report.
Six-year-old Rheann, who had a rare form of brain cancer- a mucoid spindle sarcoma- has been found to be cancer-free. She’ll still need continued treatment, but her survival is a miracle as her family was originally told to prepare for the worst.
And four-year-old Ainsley, who was placed in a 10-day medically induced coma after her diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, is now on the mend. She’ll still need maintenance chemo for two years, but her family gushes that she’s handled it all “so bravely”.
Photographer Lora Scantling said,”the girls had not met before, yet they bonded the instant they saw each other and it was like they knew they had a common bond”.
We couldn’t be more thrilled for the girls and their families. Unknowingly, their road to recovery helped remind us all– sometimes a hug and a friendly face can be the boost of strength and morale someone else so desperately needs.
Top Comments
What a shame the photographer didn't incorporate a little boy suffering from cancer. as well. There is already such gender bias on the subject of cancer ( my daughter didn't know that men could get cancer it comes out while discussing the subject). Then again, I guess girls do generate more sympathy, I guess that is why the photo was taken as it was.
Why would you even think of that. So negative
Why do girls generate more sympathy?
I'm a little bit over gender being brought into every conversation. How about we just be happy for these cancer survivors who happen to be girls and try to forget about petty crap like your comment.
I don't understand this comment. How could anyone ever say that girls generate more sympathy! I'm a mother to boys and an aunty to many nephews, seeing any child ill and suffering is heartbreaking. I see many photos of boys with cancer that break my heart. Perhaps this photographer just took an opportunity. It's about children connecting in spite of horrible circumstances. Gender isn't relevant here, cancer is. I've seen many similar pics of boys and given my huge connection to boys I've noted them all and I've been so sad :(
This story is heartbreaking and heart warming at the same time. I so wish these little girls and every other little child who is sick all the very best. I pray that these little babes stay well and go on to achieve all that they want in life and more because they deserve that extra special something.