Getting cancer is devastating at any age, but for a teenager it can feel even more frightening. 18-year-old Kelly Mullooly, a healthy and active cheerleader, shared her story on the YouTube channel The Patient Story.
Kelly first noticed something was wrong after a gym session when soreness in her knee didn’t go away. For weeks, she felt on-and-off pain, especially at night. When she visited the doctor, she was told it was likely overuse — so she tried to keep going with cheerleading.
But the pain persisted. After returning for more tests, an MRI revealed a tumor. Kelly was later diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer. The diagnosis shocked her, as she never imagined cancer could be the cause.
She began chemotherapy and eventually underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Kelly says she feels proud and relieved to have made it through treatment, though the journey forced her to rethink her future.
A GoFundMe has been created to help her family with the medical costs.