Prepare to shed all the tears, Hollywood Gossip readers. All thanks to an 18-year-old named Jake Bailey. A week before the senior high school student was scheduled to give a speech at his graduation in New Zealand, he was diagnosed with Burkitt's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a fast-growing form of cancer. Despite this grim prognosis, however, the Senior Monitor (equivalent to Class President in America) left his hospital bed, climbed into his wheelchair and delivered words of moving wisdom to teacher and classmates at Christchurch Boy's High School assembly. “I wrote a speech, and a week before I was due to deliver this speech tonight they said, 'You've got cancer,' ” he said from a wheelchair, continuing: “They said, 'If you don't get any treatment within the next three weeks, you're going to die.' Then they told me I wouldn't be here tonight to deliver this speech.” Principal Nic Hill was prepared to give Bailey’s speech on the teenager’s behalf, but it turned out this wasn’t necessary. “Here's the thing, none of us get out of life alive, so be gallant, be great, be gracious and be grateful for the opportunities you have,” Bailey said. “We don't know where we might end up, or when we might end up. “The future is truly in our hands. Forget about long term dreams, lets be passionately dedicated to the pursuit of short term goals.” These would be inspiring words coming from anyone, let alone coming from a brave young man basically on his deathbed. The senior finished his speech with the school's motto, “Altiora Peto,” which translates to “I seek higher things.” Watch now. Prepare to cry. And be amazed at how those in attendance pay tribute to Bailey upon completition of his speech. God bless you, Jake Bailey.
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Terminally-Ill High Student Inspires a School, Nation
