1 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: Hello, friends, Welcome to Story Behind podcast. This is the 2 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 1: show for people who love hearing a good story and 3 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: who believe the world could use more positivity. We're the 4 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,919 Speaker 1: team behind God Updates and God Too, and we hope 5 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:22,919 Speaker 1: these weekly short stories will brighten your day. 6 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:29,200 Speaker 2: Ance life saving gift gives two year old a second 7 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:32,519 Speaker 2: chance after cancer battle. Written by Heather Rigglemann, read by 8 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:35,440 Speaker 2: Jully Provos. Did you know that there's such a thing 9 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:38,040 Speaker 2: as a living donor a liver transplant? I didn't know 10 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:41,680 Speaker 2: until I heard about this life saving gift that gave 11 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 2: a two year old a second chance at a life 12 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:47,080 Speaker 2: after a hard fought cancer battle. The gift of life 13 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:49,320 Speaker 2: is so precious, and many of us know deep down 14 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 2: that if we don't have our health, nothing else matters. 15 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:54,640 Speaker 2: That's why this story settles so tendingly in the heart. 16 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 2: Little Crew of Ohio was just a baby, only eleven 17 00:00:57,480 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 2: months old when his family heard the devastating news he 18 00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:02,920 Speaker 2: had stage four cancer. Their world shifted in an instant, 19 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:06,280 Speaker 2: filled with fear, uncertainty, and prayers whispered through tears. But 20 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 2: in the middle of that heartbreak, something extraordinary happened. His 21 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:12,040 Speaker 2: aunt Taylor stepped forward because love compelled her to say yes. 22 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,080 Speaker 2: She donated a portion of her liver, giving a literal 23 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 2: piece of herself so Crew could live, and through her 24 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 2: selfless act, what once felt impossible became a miracle, unfolding 25 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:23,920 Speaker 2: right before their eyes. I felt like I was meant 26 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 2: to be the one to do this for him. I 27 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:27,759 Speaker 2: always wanted to help people and do something really meaningful, 28 00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 2: So to get the chance to do this for someone 29 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 2: close to me made it's so special. His aunt, Taylor said, 30 00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:35,760 Speaker 2: It's almost too much to take in, isn't it. How 31 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:38,399 Speaker 2: do you measure that kind of love? This beautiful aunt 32 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 2: didn't just offer support. She gave life a second chance, 33 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:44,160 Speaker 2: more birthdays, more laughter, more moments that once felt so 34 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:46,840 Speaker 2: far out of reach. And today this little boy is thriving, 35 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,960 Speaker 2: healthy's smiling, living the life that once felt so uncertain, 36 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:52,400 Speaker 2: all because someone loved him enough to say, take what 37 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 2: you need for me so you can stay. It's the 38 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 2: kind of story that brings tears to your eyes because 39 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 2: it reminds us of what truly matters. Watching the video 40 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 2: of Crew bringing the cancer bell will leave you a 41 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:03,559 Speaker 2: misty eyed. Now he has a second chance at life 42 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:05,480 Speaker 2: and to move forward, and boy will he have a 43 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 2: story to tell about his courage and his aunt's precious gift. 44 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 2: The bell ringing was such a special day I will 45 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 2: remember forever, Taylor added the moment Krew got to bring 46 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 2: the bravery bell. I just kept thinking about how out 47 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:19,080 Speaker 2: of reach this all felt when we first found out 48 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:21,640 Speaker 2: he had cancer. But for this day to come and 49 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 2: to see the smile on his face as he walked 50 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:26,400 Speaker 2: down the hall, it meant everything. His mom couldn't help 51 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:28,520 Speaker 2: but add When I tell people my sister in law 52 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 2: donated a portion of her liver, they're like, wow, you 53 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 2: can do that. Her gift to us is the reason 54 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:37,080 Speaker 2: CRUs thriving today. Life is a gift, fragile, sacred, and 55 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 2: never guaranteed. So we hold our people a little closer, 56 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:41,920 Speaker 2: We say the words we've been meaning to say, and 57 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:44,600 Speaker 2: we thank God for every breath, because sometimes the most 58 00:02:44,639 --> 00:02:47,600 Speaker 2: beautiful miracles don't come with flashing lights. They look like 59 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:50,040 Speaker 2: an aunt, a hospital room, and a love that refuses 60 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 2: to let go One John three eighteen, Dear children, let 61 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:56,639 Speaker 2: us not love with words or speech, but with actions 62 00:02:56,680 --> 00:03:12,839 Speaker 2: and in truth. Teens keep their childhood promise they made 63 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:15,919 Speaker 2: at age seven and are heading to prom together, Written 64 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:19,079 Speaker 2: by Heather Rigglemann read by Jully Provost. We all need 65 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:21,680 Speaker 2: more heartwarming prom stories like this. These teens kept their 66 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 2: childhood promise they made at age seven and are heading 67 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 2: to prom together. In a world that moves fast and 68 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:29,240 Speaker 2: friendships sometimes fade, stories like this feel like a breath 69 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:31,720 Speaker 2: of fresh air. Two teens keep a simple promise they 70 00:03:31,760 --> 00:03:33,959 Speaker 2: made years ago, and now they're headed to prom together, 71 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 2: reminding us all of what loyalty and true friendship really 72 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 2: looks like. Kate Schwartz and Declan Rose of Dousville, Pennsylvania 73 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 2: have been friends since they were just kids, back in 74 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 2: second grade, when life was simpler and promises were made 75 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:48,040 Speaker 2: without hesitation. We try to do as much as we 76 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 2: can to stay together. We have an awesome bond. Even 77 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 2: when I'm too busy or she's going through stuff, we 78 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:55,280 Speaker 2: just still there for each other. Decland said by fourth 79 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:57,120 Speaker 2: grade they made a pact if neither of them had 80 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 2: a date to prom, they would go together so neither 81 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 2: would have to be alone. It was one of those 82 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:03,680 Speaker 2: childhood promises you make in passing. But seven years later 83 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:06,720 Speaker 2: they remembered and they kept it. Duclin said, I got 84 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:08,440 Speaker 2: to ask my best friend Kate to prom, which is 85 00:04:08,480 --> 00:04:10,680 Speaker 2: just so cool. We've been friends since second grade, so 86 00:04:10,720 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 2: I've known her a long time and I feel like 87 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 2: I couldn't ask anyone better to go to prom with. 88 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:17,880 Speaker 2: Duclin didn't just casually ask Kate either. He showed up 89 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 2: with a box of her favorite donuts, knowing exactly what 90 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 2: would make her smile. It was thoughtful, sweet, and perfectly them. 91 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 2: And honestly, isn't that what friendship is? Knowing the little 92 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:29,120 Speaker 2: things that matter. Their bond runs deeper than shared memories. 93 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:32,040 Speaker 2: Kate has faced more than most teens should ever should, 94 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 2: born with primordial dwarfism and later diagnosed with Mooya moya, 95 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 2: a rare brain condition that has led to multiple surgeries 96 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:41,800 Speaker 2: and ongoing health challenges. And yet those who know her 97 00:04:41,839 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 2: say she carries a light about her that can't be dimmed. 98 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:47,480 Speaker 2: Through it all, Ducklin has been right there, steady of loyal, 99 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:49,720 Speaker 2: and present. When she speaks of her best friend, you 100 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 2: can hear the warmth in her words. I enjoy having him. 101 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:53,800 Speaker 2: He's a good friend, and he cares about me. That's 102 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:56,280 Speaker 2: all anything a person could ask for. She added, if 103 00:04:56,320 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 2: anyone is going to mess with him, I'm the first 104 00:04:58,160 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 2: one who's going to come and rescue him no matter 105 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:02,360 Speaker 2: or what, and she's been the same for him. They've 106 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:05,280 Speaker 2: grown up side by side, vacations, plays, arcade days, and 107 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:08,279 Speaker 2: all the ordinary moments that quietly build an extraordinary friendship. 108 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:10,919 Speaker 2: Through busy seasons, through health struggles, through the ups and 109 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:13,160 Speaker 2: downs of growing up. They chose to stay. That's the 110 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:15,480 Speaker 2: kind of friendship that isn't loud or flashy, but it 111 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:19,880 Speaker 2: lasts because the truth is, friends come and go, live shifts, 112 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:22,520 Speaker 2: people change, But every now and then God gives you 113 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:25,560 Speaker 2: someone who stays, someone who shows up again and again, 114 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,280 Speaker 2: someone who reminds you that you're not alone. And maybe 115 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:31,000 Speaker 2: that's why this story matters so much. It's about being 116 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:32,919 Speaker 2: there for each other no matter what. And in a 117 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:34,920 Speaker 2: world that could use a little bit more kindness, a 118 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:37,200 Speaker 2: little more loyalty, and a lot more heart, these two 119 00:05:37,320 --> 00:05:41,920 Speaker 2: remind us it still exists. Proverbs twenty seventy nine. Sweet 120 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:44,560 Speaker 2: friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, 121 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:47,279 Speaker 2: For good friends are like the anointing oil that yields 122 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:49,480 Speaker 2: the fragrant incense of God's presence. 123 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for listening to story. Behind podcast 124 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,159 Speaker 1: were really glad you joined us for this week's story. 125 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 1: To see photos and videos that may have been referenced 126 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 1: in this episode, check out the links and the show notes, 127 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 1: and if you enjoyed what you heard today, subscribe to 128 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:15,359 Speaker 1: our podcast and please tell a friend about us. 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