During her mid-pregnancy, Brianna faced a critical choice: end her pregnancy for life-saving treatment or continue carrying her child without medical intervention.
She selected to forgo treatment and prioritize her unborn child. This decision led to devastating consequences, resulting in the loss of both lives.
Her newborn, Kyden, survived for 12 days. Though brief, his life was filled with intense love. His early arrival, three months before term, occurred because of his mother's blood infection.
Medical professionals performed an emergency cesarean section, fearing the infection's transmission to the baby.
In her Femail interview, Brianna shared: "My 12 days with Kyden were precious. I held him, counted his tiny features, and spoke to him as I did during pregnancy. Those days were life's greatest gift."
She added: "Despite the challenges, Kyden gave me strength to continue fighting. His memory drives me forward."
Initially, Brianna showed signs of recovery. Her blood counts improved, and she worked diligently to restore her leg function.
However, her health declined significantly. Doctors canceled her scheduled bone marrow transplant from her brother and suggested an experimental drug treatment.
The costly treatment, at $3,000 weekly, became possible through family fundraising efforts. Brianna received two rounds before succumbing to leukemia on December 29, 2018, at age 19.
Her story exemplifies extraordinary maternal sacrifice. The Rawlings family deserves support during this difficult time. Her courage serves as inspiration in the ongoing battle against cancer.
This 12-Year-Old Had Only a 23% Chance to Live—What Happened Next Will Change How You See Childhood Cancer
When Michael "MJ" Dixon was diagnosed with leukemia at just 8 years old, doctors gave him a 23% chance of survival. Today, at 12, he's cancer-free after a grueling three-year battle that has left his family, his community in Killeen, Texas, and thousands of strangers online asking the same question: How do children find the strength to fight battles that would break most adults?
The answer is more complex—and more inspiring—than you might think.
The Numbers That Will Shock You
MJ's story isn't just heartwarming; it's part of a medical revolution happening right under our noses. While childhood leukemia was once a death sentence, today's survival rates tell a dramatically different story. According to the latest data, 85% of children with cancer now survive five years or more—a statistic that would have been unimaginable just decades ago.
But here's what makes MJ's case even more remarkable: he had no bone marrow match, typically a critical component in leukemia treatment. His mother made the courageous decision to enroll him in a clinical trial for Blinatumomab, an innovative immunotherapy that essentially teaches the child's own immune system to hunt down and destroy cancer cells.
What Adults Don't Understand About Childhood Resilience
Pediatric oncologists consistently report something that challenges our assumptions about suffering and strength: children often handle cancer treatment better than their parents handle watching it happen. Dr. Sarah Chen, a leading pediatric oncologist, explains: "Children have an remarkable ability to live in the present moment. They're not catastrophizing about the future or dwelling on the past. They're focused on getting through today."
This isn't naive optimism—it's neurological. Children's brains are still developing, particularly the prefrontal cortex responsible for processing long-term consequences and abstract fears. What looks like incredible bravery to adults is often just a child's natural way of existing in the world.
The Ripple Effect That Changes Everything
MJ's victory isn't just his own. When a child beats cancer, it creates what researchers call a "hope cascade" throughout their community. His story has been shared thousands of times on social media, inspiring other families facing similar battles and raising awareness about childhood cancer research.
But there's a darker side to this inspiration that no one wants to discuss: the pressure it puts on other families. When we celebrate these victories—and we should—we must remember that not every story ends this way. For every MJ, there are families facing devastating losses, and they need support too.
The Science Behind the Miracle
What saved MJ's life wasn't just his resilience or positive attitude, though those certainly helped. It was cutting-edge immunotherapy that literally reprogrammed his immune system. Blinatumomab works by creating a bridge between the patient's T-cells and the cancer cells, essentially forcing the immune system to recognize and attack the leukemia.
This treatment represents a fundamental shift in how we fight childhood cancer. Instead of relying solely on chemotherapy that damages healthy cells along with cancerous ones, we're now harnessing the body's own defense mechanisms. The results speak for themselves: recent clinical trials show disease-free survival rates of up to 97.5% for the most common forms of childhood leukemia.
What This Means for Every Parent
MJ's story forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: childhood cancer affects 1 in 285 children before their 20th birthday. These aren't statistics—they're someone's child, someone's sibling, someone's entire world.
But here's the hopeful reality: we're living in an era where childhood cancer is increasingly becoming a treatable condition rather than a terminal diagnosis. The combination of advanced treatments, improved supportive care, and the unique resilience of children is creating outcomes that seemed impossible just a generation ago.
The Question Everyone's Asking
As MJ's story continues to spread across social media, one comment appears repeatedly: "How do we bottle this kid's strength?"
The answer isn't about bottling anything. It's about recognizing that children possess an innate capacity for resilience that adults often underestimate. They adapt, they fight, they find joy in the smallest moments, and they rarely give up hope.
MJ's three-year battle with leukemia wasn't just about surviving cancer—it was about a child's natural determination to live, supported by a family's unwavering love and the most advanced medical treatments available.
The Real Victory
Today, MJ is cancer-free, but his impact extends far beyond his own recovery. His story has raised awareness about childhood cancer research, inspired other families facing similar battles, and demonstrated the incredible potential of modern immunotherapy.
More importantly, it's reminded us that children are not just small adults—they're fighters with their own unique strengths. In a world that often focuses on what children can't do, MJ's story is a powerful reminder of what they can accomplish when given the chance.
The next time you hear about a child beating cancer, remember: you're not just witnessing a medical miracle. You're seeing the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit, embodied in its purest form—through the eyes of a child who refused to give up.
Man Whose Wife Died at Childbirth Ponders Giving up Baby until He Sees Her Texts with a Friend — Story of the Day
After childbirth, David lost his wife, Joan, and couldn't even look at their baby or go through her possessions. But after working with a therapist, he finally started sorting through his wife's belongings. He turned on her phone and found several messages that changed everything.
"Despite our best efforts, we couldn't save your wife. She's gone, sir."
Those terrible words kept echoing in David's mind multiple times each day since his daughter was born, a lovely girl. However, he couldn't bring himself to look at her after leaving the hospital. He was so devastated that he couldn't accept that his dear Joan was no longer alive. Fortunately, his mother stepped in and kept watch over the baby as much as possible.
David did the least he could. His grief was so overwhelming that he couldn't see clearly. But one day, his mother had enough and ordered him to see a therapist right away. He agreed and began attending sessions, working through his sadness.
Eventually, he felt a glimmer of hope, and although the doctor's words still haunted him often, they no longer affected him as much.
His mother was proud of his progress, yet David still didn't dare hold his daughter. He was continuing therapy. Sometimes, he wondered, Maybe I'll hold her someday. Or maybe I should just give her to someone better suited to be a parent, he thought.
But he quickly dismissed that thought. Today, he had different plans. He wanted to go through Joan’s belongings, organize them, and donate some items to charity.
He hadn't touched her hospital bag since the day he brought her home with the baby. It was too painful. But for the first time in three months, he found the courage. He opened the bag and discovered her mobile phone inside. It had run out of charge during her labor and hadn't been recharged since.
He plugged it into the wall, then started sorting through Joan's clothes. An hour later, he checked the phone again and saw several missed calls and messages.
At first, some were congratulatory, from Joan’s friends knowing she had gone into labor. But one friend, Melissa, kept texting even after news of Joan’s death spread among their friends.
"I'm not the only one who misses her," he thought as he browsed through the messages, smiling at Joan’s strong friendships. But something in one message made him frown.
It's a pity you sacrificed your life… Melissa wrote.
David didn't understand. Joan had died because of an unexpected complication. But that message felt strange, as if Melissa had foreseen her death. He needed more information, so he scrolled to the beginning of their conversation.
Most of the messages were about Joan's pregnancy, her excitement, how fascinated she was, how her baby would be the best and most beautiful. But after several months, the tone of the texts changed.
Joan had written, The doctors said something frightening.
Melissa asked, What? What's happening? Are you okay?
Joan replied, They said I have high blood pressure and might develop pre-eclampsia. The doctor suggested I terminate the pregnancy.
Melissa responded, No! Honey, that's terrible. But what if you die? What did David say?
Joan answered, He wasn't with me. I haven't told him. He wants a child so badly. We've been trying for ten years, Melissa. I can't abort this baby. It's his dream to be a father.
Melissa urged her, Joan, you could die! He wouldn’t want that. He loves you!
Joan replied softly, I know, Mel. But it’s our baby. I love him and the baby. I'm willing to risk it.
David couldn't believe it. His wife had risked her life despite medical warnings, just to please him. He had been desperate to become a father, and now he felt ashamed. He hadn't even held his baby since the hospital.
The rest of the conversation was Melissa asking Joan if she felt okay. Joan always responded that she felt fine, though the doctor said it might be hard to tell. David couldn't remember if the doctors had mentioned pre-eclampsia, but he stopped listening the moment they told him Joan had died.
He put down the phone and asked himself, What now? Should he let his mother raise the daughter Joan sacrificed her life to give him?
He broke down crying, but this time, his tears came as a release. They were a way of thanking Joan for her sacrifice and a sign of his resolve. He decided that he would be the best father possible. Their daughter, Georgina Joan Sanders, would grow up surrounded by love and stories about her amazing mother. He was determined to make that happen.
He then called his mother. Mom, bring her back. I’m ready now.
Her mother’s voice trembled with relief. Thank God! she nearly started crying.
What lessons can we take from this story?
Respect and appreciate your partner's sacrifices. Even if they are still alive, recognize what they do for you daily and be grateful.
Seek help when you need it. David couldn't heal from his grief alone, but he was brave enough to see a therapist and work through it.
Share this story with your friends. It might lift their spirits and motivate them.
Lady Gets Call from Hospital, Finds Out She Lost Her Loathed Sister and Got Two
Newborn Nephews
At a young age, Linda's older sister left her in a group home. Years later, she ends up caring for her young nephews, who face the same fate.
Linda and her older sister, Amanda, argued frequently when they grew up. Eventually, Amanda went away to college while Linda still attended high school.
The disputes paused for a while since they no longer shared a house. But whenever Amanda visited, the fighting would resume. "All I want is for you two to stay close no matter what," their mother, Meredith, often said.
Everything changed when Meredith became seriously ill. With their father absent, Meredith had no choice but to ask Amanda for help.
"If things get worse, please don’t abandon Linda. She’d have to live in a group home, but once you finish school, please come back for her," Meredith begged Amanda.
Meredith later died peacefully in her sleep. Linda stayed in a shelter, waiting for her sister’s graduation.
At the end of the year, Linda learned that Amanda had finished school and tried to call her. Amanda hung up without saying a word.
Weeks went by, then months. Linda realized Amanda would never return. The sisters ceased speaking and grew to dislike each other even more.
After a tough year, a kind couple, Tim and Gabby, adopted Linda. She was treated like family and finished high school happily. Her new parents supported her through college graduation. "No matter what happens, we're just a phone call away," Gabby told her.
Linda became a successful real estate agent in her hometown. She loved helping people find homes, just as Tim and Gabby had helped her.
One day, Linda received a call from the hospital. A nurse said she was Amanda's emergency contact. "I'm sorry to tell you this, but your sister died from complications during childbirth. She gave birth to two boys, and you are their closest relative," the nurse explained.
Linda felt confused and upset. Amanda never told her she was pregnant or that she had listed her as an emergency contact. How dare she, Linda thought.
She called Tim and Gabby for advice. They knew she had struggled with feeling abandoned before and trusted they could help her.
"I know this is hard, but Amanda was your sister, and those two babies didn’t do anything wrong. You should go to the hospital and get some answers," Tim told her.
Linda thanked them but still felt unsure. She believed the father of the boys should take responsibility. She didn't think she would adopt them, especially after all Amanda had done.
At the hospital, Linda spoke to a nurse who showed her Amanda’s note left before she died.
"It may be too late, but I see now how many mistakes I made and how much I regret them.
I know forgiveness isn’t easy now, but please consider my last wish.
I ask you to take my children. I beg you.
Only as a mother did I understand how my own mother felt asking me not to leave you.
I feel those emotions now... I’m so sorry," the note read.
Linda struggled to process everything and sat in the hospital wondering if there was more she didn’t know. Where is their father, she wondered.
She found on Amanda’s phone many calls and messages to a man named Derek. It turned out he had left town once he found out Amanda was pregnant.
Amanda had no support for months before she went into labor. Linda saw similarities to her mother, Meredith, who was also abandoned by her husband after Linda was born and had to raise her alone.
Linda called Tim and Gabby again. "When I look at those two babies, I remember how I was left at that group home," she said. "You seem to know what to do," Tim replied.
Later, she left a message for the father.
"I hope one day you realize your mistake of leaving Amanda and your sons behind. I pray you seek forgiveness before it’s too late," she wrote.
That day, Linda officially became the guardian of her nephews. She named them Timothy and Gabriel, after her adoptive parents. Her main goal was to honor her sister and mother by making sure the boys always supported each other.
She told her nephews, "No matter what, you should always stay close, through good times and bad."
The three of them lived happily, with Linda enjoying giving the boys a home. She often visited their mother’s and grandmother’s graves, placing fresh flowers.
Linda forgave her sister and wished they had reconciled when Amanda was alive. She felt comfort in seeing Amanda’s eyes in her nephews, Timothy and Gabriel.
Lessons from this story:
Set aside differences. If Amanda had forgiven her sister earlier, they might have stronger bonds.
It’s never too late to forgive. Even after death, Linda learned to forgive Amanda and accept her children.
Share this story. It might inspire someone and brighten their day.
