Devon Still of NFL Emotionally Celebrates Daughter Leah's Life 5 Years after She Beat Cancer

Devon Still marked his 9-year-old daughter's fifth year of being cancer-free with a heartfelt post celebrating her life, strength and beautiful smile. Devon also recalled his fear of almost losing his daughter and revealed what kept him going.

Devon Still celebrated an important milestone in his family’s life. His daughter Leah marked her fifth cancer-free year. And it has made him sigh in relief.

For parents with children who’ve battled cancer, it is an ongoing fear that the disease would return. But according to Devon who spoke to Today, "Once your child reaches the five-year mark in their cancer battle, the chances of the cancer coming back are basically slim to none.”

MARKING THE MILESTONE

This clear sign of hope is what’s made Devon happy last week when he shared a beautiful photo of his nine-year-old daughter with a lovely smile. Now cancer-free for five years, Leah certainly made her father proud. In his post’s caption, the NFL player praised his daughter for pulling through.

“That smile you make when you know you did it! Against all odds you beat cancer!” he wrote. He also recalled the fear that went through him when he found out Leah was stricken with the disease when she was four years old.

Devon shared that he was scared thinking he would lose Leah and the opportunity to witness important milestones in her life.

“I was scared because our world was shaken up and I felt so lost and hopeless. I was scared because I felt like I was losing myself while fighting to not lose Leah,” he admitted.

Devon and his family are currently isolating themselves at home due to the threat of the Coronavirus. But this didn’t keep them from celebrating this important milestone.

However, Devon explained that it was his trust in God that allowed him to “push forward” in spite of his fears. He also commended his daughter for being “the strongest person I know.” To Leah, he said,

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving this battle everything you had. I know it wasn’t easy...I know it wasn’t fair...but you handled this battle like a #playmaker and inspired millions (especially me) while doing it.”

HOW THE FAMILY CELEBRATED

Devon and his family are currently isolating themselves at home due to the threat of the Coronavirus. But this didn’t keep them from celebrating this important milestone. Leah told the hosts of “Today” that all she really wanted to do was eat cake and ice cream and watch movies.

Devon revealed that because they couldn't go out for some steaks to celebrate, he put on his chef's hat instead. A clip he shared revealed the sumptuous meal he prepared.

THE FACE OF PEDIATRIC CANCER

Leah was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma in 2014 and was given a 50-50 chance of survival. Having beaten the odds, she became the public face for pediatric cancer and helped raise funds for cancer research. Moreover, her father and his wife, Asha established the Still Strong Foundation to help other families with children battling cancer.