When 10-year-old Steven Garay’s family evacuated for Hurricane Harvey, they had more weighing on their minds than the floodwaters inundating Houston.
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“When I found out I had cancer, I felt sick,” Garay told KHOU.
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The young cancer patient is no stranger to hospitals. His cancer resulted from several organ transplants he had as a tot.
Before Harvey, he was already receiving treatment for his condition. However, the forced evacuation took him to Nebraska, where his family had to stay to finish his chemotherapy.
Garay is finally cancer free, and Nebraska Medicine posted a celebratory video of him ringing a gong as part of a “Cancer Be Gong” celebration.
In the video, which was posted to Twitter, Garay wears a Texans hat and jersey in honor of his favorite player, J.J. Watt.
This is a great early Christmas present! Steven Garay came here in the middle of Hurricane Harvey. He had cancer, but treatment helped him turn the tide. Today he had his last round of chemo, ringing the "Cancer Be Gong." And boy, did he ring it! Congrats, Steven! @JJWatt pic.twitter.com/WQZut0zawO
— Nebraska Medicine (@NebraskaMed) December 22, 2017
Luckily for Garay, Watt watched the video and posted his own in response.
“Steven, I saw the video of you ringing the bell. It made me so happy,” Watt said in his response. “I’m so excited for you. I just wanted to send you a quick video.”
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 22, 2017
Watt also tweeted an invite for Garay to join him at a Texans game next season as his special guest.
Well let’s make those dreams come true Steven! Would you do me the honor of being my guest at our first game next season? https://t.co/x4Qq6Kfuj1
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 22, 2017
Cured of cancer and given the opportunity to meet his hero, Garay has a bright future on the horizon.
His family plans to return home to Houston in the coming year.
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