Boy Gets Standing Ovation From Classmates After Beating Cancer

This week the six-year-old little LAD returned to St Helen Catholic School in Newbury, Ohio, and was greeted with applause as he walked down the corridor on his first day.

Patrick Gannon, school principal, said: "Him having to miss some of the time was tough, but the class was just so happy to see him come back."

Following this, he spent 18 days in hospital and endured several years of chemotherapy - but he never fell behind on his schoolwork.

His dad, John Zippay said: "He had a meta-port in his chest so he wasn't able to do any physical activity for three years. So it was hard for him, had to sit back for gym class and things."

The little boy's mum, Megan Zippay, is now looking forward to the future. She added: "You want that for your child, to grow up and get dirty and play outside and have fun and we kept him in a bubble so we're excited. Looking forward to the future and having our little boy back."

"It is one filled with great heartache and emotions, but also love, courage, and hope. Please, in honor of JO, continue to pray for and support those still fighting the battle of cancer, and especially pray for those who have lost a loved one.

"As we celebrate JO's last chemo treatment we are filled with much joy, but we recognise we are not out of the woods yet, and will continue to pray for him."

She continued: "As we move forward in life, and start a new chapter, we recognise how fortunate we are, how fragile life is, and that we must cherish every moment together as people.

"This journey has opened our eyes to the amazing goodness in people, and the immense love and compassion that can be shared amongst us. There is absolutely no way we could have done this alone.

"So many have stood by our sides in so many ways. We have literally thousands of people to thank. I can't list them all here, but you know who you are, and we are forever grateful for you. 'It takes a village' could not be any more true here!"