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High school graduation ceremony held for Riley patients

Riley patient graduates high school.PNG
Posted at 11:07 PM, Jun 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-21 23:49:13-04

INDIANAPOLIS — A special ceremony was held on Friday night for high school graduates that weren't always sure they would live to see graduation day.

Nineteen students, who were all patients at some time in their lives, took part in the event at Riley Hospital for Children.

"The graduation day at a high school is one thing to celebrate, but when they come here, how much emotion it brings..." Stacy Willett, educational liaison, said. "I'm sure some of our families have only been back a handful of times, so to just walk in and think about where they were ten years ago, or 12 years ago, or whenever their child was treated."

Several teachers, doctors, nurses, and other Riley staff members were on hand to share the moment with the graduates.

The graduates wore a cap and gown, received a certificate of achievement, and commemorated the night with a formal photo.

The Riley Cancer Center cares for the vast majority of children in Indiana who have cancer. The center cares for approximately 200 new patients every year.