In a season full of bad stories, one of the best has come in Cincinnati, where defensive lineman Devon Still’s four-year-old daughter has had a tumor completely removed.
Via Coley Harvey of ESPN.com, Leah Still endured a six-hour procedure on Thursday, which resulted in the removal of all cancer.
She’ll still undergo another round of chemotherapy, radiation, and stem-cell transplants. So while the fight isn’t over, a major battle has been won.
In a video posted on Instagram, Still gives Leah a pep talk before heading in to the hospital.
“I’m going to ask you again,” Still said to his daughter. “I’m ready for today. Are you ready for today? You ready to get this cancer up out you?”
She smiled through it all. And Devon Still and his family have reason to smile tonight.
Along the way, nearly 10,000 Devon Still jerseys have been sold, raising $1 million for the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s pediatric cancer research efforts. Saints coach Sean Payton personally purchased 100 of the jerseys.
Still rented a movie theater on Wednesday for a pre-surgery party for Leah. A post-surgery party is now in order, and we wish Devon and Leah and their family and friends the best as she recovers from the procedure and continues to fight the disease.