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Wow, talk about one strong girl.
In February 2018, a 9-year-old girl named Zoey from the Bronx was diagnosed with cancer.
When Zoey complained about a bump on the back of her leg, Zoey's mom, Maria, recalls, "We thought it was just a mosquito bite, but they ended up telling us that she had a cancerous tumor."
"When I first heard that I had a cancer diagnosis," Zoey says, "I told my doctor, 'I don't want to die.'" Zoey was so strong, though, that she wanted to tell her brother and sister about the diagnosis herself.
"I didn't want them to feel like we were hiding something from them," she explains through tears. "I just wanted them to know from me. They started crying."
"But she did say," Maria remembers, "'I am strong. You guys are going to be by my side, and we're going to be as tough as possible. I just need you guys to stay by me.'"
Our hearts. ❤️
Throughout treatments, Zoey became immobile and had to learn how to walk again. But after 18 months, she and her family received the most amazing news.
"We got the incredible news that Zoey was cancer-free," Maria says. (Like we said, the MOST amazing news.)
"I am the proudest mom," she continues. "Looking through pictures of where she was and where she is now, I just know that there was a strong little person in there [who] was forced to grow up. But she's amazing."
We couldn't agree more.
Now, because Maria had to quit her job last Christmas to take care of Zoey full time, "Christmas last year was tough," she says.
"I'm hoping that Christmas this year changes," Maria continues.
Well, we made sure of that! We sent one of Rach's biggest fans and most loyal viewers, Debbie from Chicago, to surprise Maria, Zoey and their family with ALL the gifts that we gave away on the show in December. Watch the video above to see that amazing moment.
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